I remember calling voters in New York and Portland, Maine in August and September, 2007, so many of whom were under the age of 25, asking them to attend the rallies the Obama campaign was sponsoring in these cities. On at least four occassions, I reached 20 somethings who were out distributing flyers for the same event I was calling them about. I really exctied me, and them as well, and that was the first time I actually thought Obama had a chance to win.
But I was really doubtful that these younger voters would show up in the numbers Obama needed to win. But that way of thinking subsided completely when I arrived in Des Moines, IA to help out the campaign with the caucuses. I remember drving down University Avenue, which runs through all the student housing at Drake Univeristy and I could hardly believe my eyes - house after house had Obama signs sticking out of the snow! It was an amazing site and one that was offering a sign as to what was going to happen in Iowa two short weeks later.
But to be honest, a lot of that excitement seems like it has disapated in the last week. The Obama campaign seems like it has been driven off course by Hurricane Sarah and they seem like they are drowning, unsure what to do next.
And the fiasco today over the pig and lipstick added to my feelings of anxiety, along with some of the polls.
And then tonight I read this readers post on Talking Post Memos and perhaps it was just the jolt I needed. It is written by a 57 year old man who is blind in one eye and who has dealt with a severe, debilitating arthritic disease since he was in his early 30's.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsme...
The facts are these; I'm going to be 58 in December, I'm blind in one eye and have dealt with a severe, debilitating arthritic disease since I was in my early 30's. Most people would say I am disabled. But I continue to work full-time and in my spare time, run an online support group for people who are afflicted with the same disease from which I suffer.I am a lifelong Democrat, and have voted in every election since I came of age. As a senior in high school, I passed out leaflets for Eugene McCarthy. I once considered myself a Liberal idealist, something that most people today would dismiss with a mocking gesture of disdain. As I got older, I lost that idealism as the realities of Life claimed a bigger and bigger piece of me. In 1992, I tried to rev up my old idealism, but it wasn't the same. I was older, wiser, and more saavy to the evils of the opposition. I had come to know that idealism is seldom treated kindly. In fact, it is most often assassinated or left to die by people's refusal to take a chance on it, for fear of being horribly disappointed ... again. It hurts so much each and every time that our idealism is ripped away and killed by the cynicism and negativity of non-believers. Now, I've watched and thrilled as Obama has re-kindled the fires of optimism and hope in the hearts of so many people. But now I also see the forces of evil and their steamroller of cynicism, hate and utter lies bearing down on our cause. They want to once again kill off idealism and the hopes and dreams of millions because it scares them and threatens their grip on power. They will stop at nothing. There is no dirty trick or sleazy tactic to which they will not stoop. That's just a fact.
I watch and pray this year won't be the repeat of so many elections of the recent past. Unfortunately, I no longer have the energy or the physical ability to go out and work for the Obama campaign, which is why I am sending this message out to all you healthy, young 20-somethings, the first time voters, the would-be idealists who still think they can change the world. My message to you is this; You CAN change the world, in fact, you are my generation's best hope for salvation. Please SAVE US!!
The Mainstream Media likes to point out that the "youth vote" can never be counted on to show up. They didn't show up for Gore, they didn't show up for Kerry, and they probably won't show up for Obama. At least, that's what the 'smart money' says; the cable tv pundits and talk-radio spinmeisters ...
But you CAN prove all of the pundits and partisan spokespersons wrong and save us from the horrible fate of another Republican administration. You can save the world by simply showing up on election day en masse and voting as if your future and the future of the rest of America depended on it. (It actually does, you know ...)
If you do show up, I will promise you this; your life will be changed more than mine. You will enjoy the fruits of this idealism far longer than I will ... or anyone else will from my generation. It's your future, I'm just fighting and struggling to survive in it. So please, do an old crippled guy a favor. SAVE THE WORLD!
Show up on election day and vote Obama-Biden!
I wish I could say I didn't cry when I read this but I did. People out there, some in dire straights, are desperate for change and to win this election. And quite frankly, so am I.
So, moving forward, I have decided to forget about John McCain and Sarah Palin. I am going to get to work again, registering voters and help build an organization to get Obama elected. I think the Palin nomination has really thrown us for a loop and it has taken both the campaign and all of us off track.
So start making phone calls, registering voters, start talking to people about the positives things about Obama and the change he will bring. The campaign will get back on track and become more focued and take care of the likes of McCain and Palin.
The bottom line is we can win this election and if we enlarge the electorate and get our vote out on election day. So lets do it. It's ours to lose.
And to all of those 20 somethings out there, please know there are a lot of people out there depending on you; we'll help with the heavy lifting, but we need you to do so as well. You all were the ones that put Obama over the top during the primaries and caucuses and you can do so again in the general election.
So lets work together, spark that sense of idealism referenced above, and win this election.