Yes We Did!

Sorry I’ve been incommunicado recently. Since the election, I’ve been trying to get my feet on the ground with a new job, and catching up a little on my sleep. In the weeks leading up to the election, I was working very long days, like many of you, I’m sure. I was out knocking on doors for Barack Obama right up until 6:45 p.m. on Election Day.

What a long road we’ve traveled. We started out saying, "Yes We Can!” later we said, "Yes We Will!", and now we can say, "Yes We Did!". It took thousands of people like you and me, from all walks of life, all over Colorado and all over the country, working hard for many months giving of their time and money to get the facts out about Senator Obama by holding meetings in their homes with their friends and neighbors, making phone calls, and knocking on doors right up through Election Day to change minds, get out the vote, and make it happen. I am so proud of our State for “turning blue”, our country, Senator Obama, and what we all accomplished together.

This campaign demonstrated what is possible when a candidate brings people together around common hopes and goals. This campaign has been transformational. The election of President-Elect Obama has been transformational. It is palpable. I noticed it immediately as I walked out of the Sheraton Hotel Wednesday morning where we stayed election night. As I rode the 16th Street mall shuttle to my office, people looked at each other differently. I looked at people differently too. People of all colors looked at each other in the eye--with fresh eyes, with joy, pride, and hope in their eyes. Have you seen it too?

And now I look forward to watching, and helping in whatever way I can, the further transformation of our national dialog from one based on fear, to one based on hope for what we can and will become individually and collectively.

Thank you again for everything you did, and what I know you will continue to do, to help create the future we all hope for.

Like some of you, my wife, Roxy, and I made our flight and hotel reservations some months ago. We will be in D.C. Jan. 16-23 and look forward to celebrating and participating in what will be a historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama! I hope you can make it and join us!

Barack Tells Us, "It's Time to Double-Down"

Barack called us tonight at the South Denver Obama headquarters to thank us for all the work we’ve done, and to ask us to “double-down” on whatever time commitment we had planned to make over the next 72 hours. The 8 p.m. conference call, just before he went to the podium to speak to a crowd in Springfield, MO, included 20,000 field organizers and volunteer team leaders spread all over the country. Several months ago, he asked us to “make this our project”, and tonight he was gracious in his praise for what we have accomplished. He said it was simply “astonishing”, and he was “proud” of everyone that has contributed so far.

In addition to that doubling-down and “spending every waking moment” through Election Day calling our supporters and knocking on doors, he asked us to do two other things. He asked us to bring our friends and family for the final push to get out the vote. And he asked us to help keep everyone’s spirits up—our fellow volunteers, and the voting public. He said we’re on the five-yard line, and we need to “leave it all on the field”—meaning give it all you got and hold nothing back. “We can’t let this slip through our fingers”.

So, this is it. Are you ready to double-down? Are you willing to “go all in” for Barack and your country? Will we let this slip through our fingers? Will you spend even just 3 hours out of the next 72 to help get out the vote, and perhaps change the course of history?

It’s really easy. Just come down to 1355 South Colorado Blvd., or go to www.barackobama.com to find a campaign office near you. We’ll train you in small groups (as shown in the photo) in how to talk to our supporters on the phone or on their doorstep. All we’re trying to do is to get them to return their mail-in ballot or get to the polls Tuesday. I promise--it’s a lot of fun. And you’ll be able to look back, and say, “Yeah, I helped make a little history in 2008.”

Happy Halloween! Now Let's GOTV!

I must say, I think I really did out-do myself this year! Every year our extended family gets together at a family-member’s home for our annual pumpkin carving get-together. This year, it was at our house, and this photo is of my creation. Can you tell who it is? I hope so! The picture, however, simply doesn’t do it justice. My whole family, including me, was mesmerized by how much it looked like our candidate for President of the United States, Barack Obama!

After we’re all done handing out treats tonight (does anyone do tricks anymore?) and escorting our little ones around the neighborhood, we all need to get to work for the next 4 days. It’s called GOTV, or “get out the vote”! The winning candidate will be the one with the most volunteers, and the most organized GOTV effort. Will it be Barack Obama, or John McCain? YOU decide! You can come out and join us this weekend as we begin “chasing” mail-in ballots on the phone or on the streets of the neighborhood by canvassing. We’ll be doing the same all day Monday and Election Day. We’ll also need drivers for those that need a ride to the polls, and many, many other tasks that need to be done to GOTV. So, PLEASE go to www.barackobama.com to sign-up to help, or call me at 303-907-4664.

Do you want to wake up Wednesday and be sorry you didn’t do more? Or do you want to spend the rest of your life knowing that YOU personally contributed to electing Barack Obama, the most transformative President of our lifetime? What future do YOU choose for yourself, your family, and your country?

Largest U.S. Obama Rally Yet at 100,000 Was a Sight to Behold!

Wow! At 1000,000 strong, yesterday’s rally was a historical event that I am proud to have been part of! I volunteered for the security detail getting people through the metal detectors. I was fortunate to have a birds eye view watching and welcoming people entering through the only public entrance to the venue at Civic Center Park. The diversity of those entering matches the diversity of our City, State, and Nation. I welcomed babies as young as 3 weeks, and seniors that I am sure were in their 90s. I saw black, white, American Indians and Eastern Indians. I welcomed families, gay and straight, holding their kids’ hands, carrying them on their backs or stomachs, or pushing them in their strollers. I even met an entire family from Kenya (where Barack’s Father was from), who were as proud as they could and should be. I saw attendees helping those with canes or crutches, and carrying those in wheelchairs, down the stairs at the Greek Theater where all public attendees entered.

For 3 hours, from 9am to Noon, as they streamed through the gate, the best way I can describe the overall mood is “joyful”. Clearly, everyone was happy to be there. While many said they had waited in line for 2 hours or more, not a single person complained about it. People said they simply didn’t mind waiting in line that long. Many said they it was “enjoyable”, and that they met a lot of nice people. I couldn’t agree with them more.

As Senator Obama began to speak, the gates were closed, and we were released to go into the venue and listen to his speech. I say “listen” because we had about 50,000 [people in front of us, and another 50,000-plus behind us. The only was I “saw” him was to look through my telephoto lense on my camera (smile). But I’m not complaining either. It was more than enough to hear the clear and inspirational words of the next President of the United States. And as good as that was, it was absolutely breathtaking simply to look around me and see the ocean of cheering, clapping, flag and sign-waving people in front of the City and County Building, to the sides, and running all the way back and up to the top steps of the State Capitol. What I saw all around me was America--joyful, and at peace in the knowledge, or at least in the hope, that this extraordinary man would be the one to unite us, and to lead us through the great challenges before us, and into what surely will be a brighter future.

Early Vote For Change Rally Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Sunday, October 26th, join Barack Obama in Denver, where he will talk about his vision for creating the kind of change we need. It's the “Early Vote for Change Rally” with Barack Obama at Civic Center Park.

The gates open at 10:00 a.m. and the program begins at 11:30 a.m.

Most importantly, bring your undecided friends and family. I guarantee that once they see and hear Barack in person, they will be undecided no more!

The Public Entrance is near the Greek Theater on 14th Avenue between Bannock and Broadway. There is no entry to the event via Colfax Ave. Bring your mail-in ballot to drop off at the Webb Building at Colfax and Bannock, or early-vote at the same place. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged. RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/cobodenver

For security reasons do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.

The Biggest and Best Organized Campaign--Ever!

I just got home from a training session for Obama poll leads and poll checkers. There were a couple hundred volunteers there for 2 hours to learn about their roles on election day. Of course, it took a very large room to accommodate these people. It's the same room used every day and every night to dispatch volunteer canvassers and to house the phone bank. It's also the same room that will be used to train hundreds more Obama volunteers over the coming days. It's at least 3 times as large as the entire Kerry State campaign office where I spent a lot of time 4 years ago.

This is the biggest and best organized Presidential campaign I have ever seen--maybe in history. I think Obama has 50 offices around the state, and more volunteers than you can shake a stick at. Obama will have a volunteer covering almost every precinct at every polling place in Denver to keep track of our supporters who have voted. Then, we have enough volunteer phone bankers to call those that have not voted until they vote, and enough volunteer canvassers to dispatch to the homes of every Obama supporter and, if necessary, sit on their doorstep until they get home from work and get out to vote before 7 pm. Four years ago, we could have only dreamed of such resources! If we had half the number of paid campaign staff and volunteers 4 years ago, John Kerry would be President today! As it is, the number and enthusiasm of Obama's volunteers is going to ensure that he wins November 4th.

Having said that, we can not let down. We can not get comfortable. We can not back off. We will only win if we continue to get out there and continue to identify our remaining supporters through canvassing and phone banking every day until the election, so we have the information we need to get the vote out. We can win, and we will win, if we keep working hard for the next 2 weeks. And if tonight's volunteer turnout is any indication, our folks are chomping at the bit to do the work that needs to be done!

The Best Place to Get Involved in Politics

The best place to really get involved in the political process and change the world as we know it is “The Denver Dems”, as we dedicated Democrats call it. I could also say your local Republican Party office, but I won’t :-)

You can go there in person by visiting 789 Sherman Street, Suite #145, Denver, Colorado 80203. But save that $4 a gallon gas and visit them virtually at http://denverdemocrats.net/home, or give them a call at 303-830-8242, or email them at info@denverdemocrats.org.

You can sign up at the website to receive regular emails about what’s going on, and identify fun and meaningful events that you might want to attend.

And if you want to do something right now, in the next few weeks, to change the world, go right to www.barackobama.com and find out how you can get involved NOW. Then you will be able to say that you did something tangible, in addition to casting your own vote, to elect the next President of the United States!