So I've landed at the DNC! It's every bit as exciting, crazy, and random as I expected it would be!
I'm staying at the Sheraton Downtown with the entire California and New York delegations. The days are jam packed with different events, parties, forums, debates, performances etc. Last night we jumped around from a Katrina benefit, to a civil rights concert, to the young dems party, to a late night of chatting with various delegates from around the state. We had a California delegation breakfast this morning where Nancy Pelosi spoke, as well as pretty much every other major elected California politician. There are famous media personalities and celebrities everywhere. Like I said, pretty surreal.
There is definitely the feeling that this is the new democratic party and that we are the future of it. There are lots of conversations about future political races and what we are "going to do next." People recognize the extraordinary power of this movement that has been created and its potential to really change this country. It is definitely an exciting time.
The other common point of discussion is the Hillary issue. People are concerned about what the Hillary delegates are going to do, and whether there is going to be any embarrassing media coverage. With that said, my sense is that things are going to go just fine. The Hillary people are fired up, as they should be, but the large majority are also sporting their Obama gear and are totally on board. It is also clear that the DNC folks are taking this issue very seriously and working with Hillary and her people to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I've tried to do my part in talking to Hillary delegates and seeking out the ones from the Bay Area. I honestly have not felt any tension in that respect at all.
I didn't have a camera yesterday or this morning (don't worry, others took a lot of photos!) but I'm going to borrow one and I should have more photos up in future blogs. :)'
More soon...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
From California to New Mexico to Denver
After spending most of my 2nd semester last year on the campaigning for Obama, and thus rarely attending classes, I made the "final" decision this summer to stay in California for the Fall semester, continue working when I could on the campaign, but focusing mostly on school.
It turns out that the decision wasn't so "final" after all.
Once again, the "fierce urgency" took over, and I found myself back on the Obama campaign and this time taking a semester off from law school. A good friend of mine and fellow Obama staffer Alfred Johnson called me, told me he needed me down in Santa Fe as his deputy (he is the regional field director there), so I told him to give me a week, quit my summer job, and drove out to Santa Fe.
I've been in New Mexico for the past two weeks and it feels right being back in the middle of it all. It's been a busy two weeks--we had a big office opening with Congresswoman Hilda Solis, a huge Hillary Clinton event, and a Howard Dean bus tour to deal with (since I was doing "events and operations," i was very involved with these events). Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico are the most democratic and pro-Obama areas in the state. Kerry won by large margins here in 2004, and I've seen few, if any, Mccain bumper stickers.
Yet our responsibility is no less great because of that, you might even say that it is even more critical. Northern New Mexico needs to drive up its vote margin to ensure that it outweighs the vote in the rest of the state, which tends to be more pro-Mccain.
I've enjoyed being in Santa Fe, but after the convention, it turns out I'll be moving down to Albuquerque to HQ to start as the Youth Vote Director for New Mexico. I"m excited about that, I started in this campaign as a youth and student organizer, and I think that I know how to do it well.
We're leaving to the convention this morning--one of the advantages of being here in New Mexico is that Denver is just a short 5 hour drive! Really looking forward to what I'm sure is going to be an incredible experience! I can't wait to see all my friends who will be there or are already are! See you soon!
It turns out that the decision wasn't so "final" after all.
Once again, the "fierce urgency" took over, and I found myself back on the Obama campaign and this time taking a semester off from law school. A good friend of mine and fellow Obama staffer Alfred Johnson called me, told me he needed me down in Santa Fe as his deputy (he is the regional field director there), so I told him to give me a week, quit my summer job, and drove out to Santa Fe.
I've been in New Mexico for the past two weeks and it feels right being back in the middle of it all. It's been a busy two weeks--we had a big office opening with Congresswoman Hilda Solis, a huge Hillary Clinton event, and a Howard Dean bus tour to deal with (since I was doing "events and operations," i was very involved with these events). Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico are the most democratic and pro-Obama areas in the state. Kerry won by large margins here in 2004, and I've seen few, if any, Mccain bumper stickers.
Yet our responsibility is no less great because of that, you might even say that it is even more critical. Northern New Mexico needs to drive up its vote margin to ensure that it outweighs the vote in the rest of the state, which tends to be more pro-Mccain.
I've enjoyed being in Santa Fe, but after the convention, it turns out I'll be moving down to Albuquerque to HQ to start as the Youth Vote Director for New Mexico. I"m excited about that, I started in this campaign as a youth and student organizer, and I think that I know how to do it well.
We're leaving to the convention this morning--one of the advantages of being here in New Mexico is that Denver is just a short 5 hour drive! Really looking forward to what I'm sure is going to be an incredible experience! I can't wait to see all my friends who will be there or are already are! See you soon!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Fundraising for Denver!
Hi everyone!
I will be attending the democratic national convention in Denver as a delegate-alternate for Barack Obama. I am raising money to help cover the costs of the trip (hotel, airfare, transportation, food etc).
Here is the link where you can donate to help send me to the convention: http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2008-07-23.4473801981
I've been volunteering and working with the Obama campaign for the past 9 months or so. I served as the Stanford campus campaign director, the Bay Area student and youth vote coordinator, and as a volunteer in Iowa and organizer Texas. I'm currently working with the campaign in New Mexico and will be returning here after the convention to work as the New Mexico Youth Voter Director. Working on this campaign has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I'm so excited about this opportunity to attend the convention.
Thanks so much for your help and support.
I will be attending the democratic national convention in Denver as a delegate-alternate for Barack Obama. I am raising money to help cover the costs of the trip (hotel, airfare, transportation, food etc).
Here is the link where you can donate to help send me to the convention: http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2008-07-23.4473801981
I've been volunteering and working with the Obama campaign for the past 9 months or so. I served as the Stanford campus campaign director, the Bay Area student and youth vote coordinator, and as a volunteer in Iowa and organizer Texas. I'm currently working with the campaign in New Mexico and will be returning here after the convention to work as the New Mexico Youth Voter Director. Working on this campaign has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I'm so excited about this opportunity to attend the convention.
Thanks so much for your help and support.
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