Last Days

My last three days in NM were spent leafleting work sites and canvassing neighborhoods. Outside of a near dog attack, nothing out of the ordinary occurred to me personally. Labor 08's focus these last days was to encourage people to vote early and vote Democratic. Last I heard, early votes were double the previous election and Obama was in a comfortable lead in NM.

I want to thank the Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld for giving me one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I'm also thankful to OPEIU for donating money towards my expenses.

My blog cannot fully express how much labor and love was generated out of the Labor 08 office in New Mexico. Over the past three weeks, I experienced the deepest personal satisfaction from being of service to others and, in the process, found a family in my fellow union members and volunteers for Labor 2008. I think that election day will show the NM vote going to Obama partly due to AFL-CIO/Labor 08's efforts to make sure that Labor friendly candidates are supported by union members. Labor 08 canvassed over a 500,000 members alone, a good many of whom will vote for Obama.

Again, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME TO SUPPORT BARACK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT! Thank you specifically to Dan Boone for his inspiration and Andrea Laiacona for doing everything she could to make the inspiration work. Most importantly, thank you to all the wonderful, passionate folks at Labor 2008. Dan Manning, HAMMER and Tiffany Fiser put together, and held firm, one of the most organized and efficient and professional political campaigns in New Mexico. I predict that, through their efforts, and all the Union laborers gathered together at Labor 08, New Mexico will vote Obama.

OBAMANOS!!!

Obamanos! 8 days and working

I've written extensively over the last couple of days but I find that much of my writing has been far too emotional to share. I've decided to keep it simple and give the facts.

Member contact slowed down Thursday and Friday because the AFL-CIO was in the process of reorganizing and resubmitting member lists for the Get Out The Vote operation starting Saturday. These days were spent doing final ID (identifying voter candidates) canvassing and scanning of documents. Mostly I do “staff” work for Tiffany, Hammer and Don Manning. We get everything organized for callers and canvassers. We are also responsible for getting all the information scanned, merged and forwarded to the AFL. Through this system, we have managed to contact 85% of union members in the Albuquerque area. It's a significant number of folks and our mission now is to have 70% of those folks vote early.

While Tiffany and Hammer completed the final GOTV list Friday afternoon, about 20 of us were sent down to the University of New Mexico to help the Obama campaign set up for the rally scheduled to take place on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
I think the large number and high energy of us Labor 2008 folks made the Obama folks nervous. The place was filled with workers doing construction and electrical work, as well as tones of media people setting up and broadcasting. With so much going on, after a half hour of setting up barrier gates, Don Manning asked half of us to return to the office.

On Saturday we met at the Labor 08 offices at 9:00 a.m. The AFL lists were cut and canvass packets were mapped and ready to be run. By 9:30 the place was packed and many new volunteers were arriving. Just before the morning meeting began I heard a voice behind me yell "Jilala!!!" Michelle (WRR's former paralegal) was standing there. She now works for the nurses union and was sent to volunteer for the week. Michelle, her co-worker and I all teamed up and canvassed the North valley until around 2 p.m. then returned to the office. The rest of the afternoon was spent scanning the morning's walk results.

Later in the afternoon, Tiffany gave me a “Red” pass for the Obama rally. I was so excited I could not keep myself from jumping up and down. I knew there would be a labor section but I did not know there was another section that a limited number of people would be given permission to enter. Generally, the rally was open to the public.

At about 5 p.m. I headed down to the rally with Mike (Mail Carrier), Ramiro (Laborer) and Rachel (Steelworker). A large crowd was expected so we parked about mile away and walked down towards the campus. Although the rally did not start until 7, by 5:30 the streets and roads around the campus were already congested with Obama supporters.
We arrived at the field and were directed to a rather short line to be checked by security before entering. As we approached, red ticket holders were guided into a small area that circled the podium. Those that arrived earlier than us held their positions ten heads deep from the closest barrier to the podium. From our position, we were still 30 feet from the podium -- incredibly close to the podium where Governor Richardson, George Lopez and Obama would be speaking. I can't tell you how excited I was.

Over the next three hour wait, I entertained myself by trying to capture the energy and beauty of people and the scene with my camera. Out of my range of view were the thousands of people who were waiting in line for hours to get onto the field. At one point a Longshoreman from San Diego put me up on his shoulders so I could photograph how far the crowd went out. Even so, with the sun nearly set, I could not see where the heads ended. It was a vision that reminded me of the horizon of the dessert that meets Albuquerque.
As if my position was not already good enough, when I stepped back to find water, Don Manning approached me, took my hand and dragged me and Maggie Campbell (Laborer Organizer) directly in front of the podium. I'm not sure why but Don Manning and Tiffany seems to be looking out for me. Perhaps it’s just that they treat everyone with courtesy and appreciation and each of us are able to take it personally. Whatever the case, I am eternally grateful to them for allowing me to be of service and for making the experience so pleasant.

I am now front and center as Barack Obama comes to stage. The zoom lens I brought is too strong and I wish I had my 35 mm lens. I'm shaking so much as he steps to stage that I take one blurry picture after another. If you ever appreciated the eloquence of Obama’s speech and appearance, this impression is tenfold in person. It was a powerful experience. Obama focused on the economy.
Much of what Obama said was repetitive from other speeches: "Raise your hand if you make under $25,000!" "tax breaks" "working class" "Union jobs." Additionally, he spoke about his plans for education. Personally, I would have liked to hear more about education during this election, so I was please to hear Obama speak again on his plans to make education more affordable.

After speaking for about a half hour, Obama decended the stage and began shaking hands with those of us around the barrior. As he came closer, I was sure he would turn around any minute and depart. The closer he got it was as if everything slowed down. Moments later, he was standing directly in front of me with only a metal barrier gate between us. He took my hand and I said “I hope your grandmother gets better soon.” He took my hand with both of his, looked me in my eyes and said “Thank you so much.” Yes, I am Obama struck. I will never forget that moment. Shortly after, he did depart and the crowds moved out.

As the thousands of made our way of the campus, we passed a tattoo shop that was having a special that day. For Saturday only, you could get a free Obama tattoo.

It was an incredible day. The total number of people present at the rally was approximately 45,000. It was a good turnout, especially considering that McCain’s rally - a couple miles away - that same day drew 900 people.

Sunday I had an emotional hangover but arrived at Labor 08 at 9 a.m. with everyone else to do more scanning and mapping until 5.

This afternoon I went with the Laborers to the City yard again to pass out early vote and voter rights information. We’ll be here until 9 calling and scanning.

Tomorrow I’m taking the day off. I hope to catch Michelle Obama in Las Vegas, NM. She's speaking at noon.

Phone Calls, Maps and Stars -- For Obama

Monday and Tuesday were long days. Much of our work at Labor 08 was in preparation for a Get Out The Vote event scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Monday we called 3000 members to inform them that Labor 08 would be holding a barbecue where "stars" would be present. I'm grateful that I didn't have to make many calls, instead I was asked to produce maps for this week's caucusing.

Tuesday, after our noon meeting I was asked to helped decorate the BBQ location with balloons and Obama signs. I then returned to the office to map again. At 3:30 we all returned to the park to get the party started. We had a decent turn out of union members and the "stars" showed up early and chatted with everyone. There were several people there who came, with cameras in hand, specifically to see someone famous. One guy approached me and asked "aren't you an actress!" I assured him I was not and felt rather embarrassed until I saw him approach another person to ask the same question. It was a successful event, we got more folks signed up to volunteer and the "stars" made some speeches encouraging everyone to vote early and to vote Obama. When the event ended some of us returned to the Labor 08 office to resume work.

There are people here who have been working for Labor 08 since early September. Many folks work 10 hour days, 6 or 7 days a week. I have a lot of admiration for these folks who have been here so long working so hard. If you can't tell from the dryness of this blog, I'm already exhausted and it's only been a week. However, it seems that exhaustion is beside the point, everyone looks dazed. We just keep on moving and calling, mapping, cracking jokes and making Starbucks runs. We are also provided large lunches and dinners every day to keep us present and working. Our work is paying off. There are record early votes. The current number of early voters has exceeded the last election by 4000 votes already.

Wednesday, I spent the day mapping and leafleting GOTV material to members in a remote area of Albuquerque. I traveled with a really nice woman by the name of Rochelle, who is an organizer with the Steelworkers Union. After we were done, we returned to the office to be present for a visit from the Secretary of the AFL-CIO. Apparently he missed his flight but will be visiting Labor 08 tomorrow.

Colin & Race

It was great to wake up this Sunday morning to the news that Colin Powell has endorsed Obama. If you have not seen his interview, check out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27265490#27265490
Powell displayed a great amount of integrity and gave a fair-minded analysis of the candidates. I hope his voice is heard. Sadly and ironically, since race is always an issue in our country, I have no doubt that there are those who will dismiss Powell’s opinion as prejudiced because of his skin color. As long as he’s “acting right” or doing his "house" work well, to many, he is an acceptable representative for Republicans or conservative thought. I do not deny the “house nigger” pun. I have no doubt that by speaking out against McCain and supporting Obama, Powell will soon be pushed out into the field. This is a disturbing metaphor and I do not mean to imply that I buy into this sort of pitting between people. The thought is disturbing from either perspective; whether it be the hostility between blacks based on their social/political/economic status, or from the prospective of the “house,” that “place” is determined by how well behaved the Negro is. It is my opinion that this “house/field” notion still haunt our country. I think Colin's past and present political positions might be an interesting focus in which to find yet another threat of slavery era consciousness weaved into our culture. What are your thoughts? I'm curious.

"MESSAGE FROM YOUR UNION!"

We are at 80% saturation here in Albuquerque. This statistic is for Labor 08 and does not include contact made by the Obama campaign office or other organizations. With such saturation, it's getting to the point where people are begging and also screaming at us not to call them or knock on their doors anymore. Canvassers are empathetic and/or rattled. To date, I have done mostly administrative work.


My first experience out of the office was on Thursday. I joined up with four other folks to pass out information at the City Mechanics yard. We arrived at the yard at 3:45. The workers were supposed to be departing at 4, however, we later learned that most workers take a short lunch and leave early. So, when we arrived at 3:45, the lot was emptying out quickly. I was told to "jump out!!!!" "Run, run, run ... get'em." I had been told to just say "message from your union" and pass the leaflets on. So, Looking crazy in a bright orange, oversized "Labor 2008" tee that hung down to my knees, and too many political pins flopping around, I ran around with several others chanting “message from your union!” and pushing "Labor for Obama" flyers into workers car windows before they could reach the exit of the lot. Regardless of how insane I must have looked, and the close proximity to the exit, people were receptive and only one person refused. After workers ceased to depart from their shifts, we returned to the office and resumed scanning calls and walk information into the system.

Although I was supposed to go work for the Obama office on Saturday, Tiffany asked me to return to Labor 08 to help because they were still behind in scanning information.

Perhaps I should explain scanning…it is just that, I literally use a scanner to scan a bar code which indicates a union member and their contact information. Addition information scanned is who the member has decided to vote for, or if they are undecided and their status (home/not home/refused). The Information is forwarded to the AFL-CIO and they return updated call/walk lists to us. This is important because it’s what has helped us reach such high saturation rates. If workers are not home or if they are undecided they get cycled back into the call/walk list until we get an answer.

It’s hard to get a sense by scanning how members are voting. There are zip codes that are majority McCain and areas that are majority Obama. There are those two who give more information than is needed. One man said he would not vote for Obama because his “mother is a slut.” Another said he would never vote for a “socialist” and another said he would not vote for a "nigger." I got one woman who said she could not vote because she was sick with cancer and did not think she would live until November 4. That one really bothered me. There was another guy who said he could not tell us who he was voting for because he was involved in the Witness Protection Program. That gave us all a good laugh and was a good topic for comic banter for awhile.

Comic banter is our main relief while scanning. Being a bit of a stray here, I’ve latched onto a group of No. Cal. Laborers and do what they do. Since our trip to the City Yard, we’ve been asked to scan to help clear up the back-log of information that has come in from canvassing over the past few days (there are a lot of rank-and-file members canvassing) It is mostly union reps and organizers doing inter office work. Inter-office we make the best of the tedious work by voicing our opinions on everything that crosses our minds. It’s all in good nature and makes time fly. We tease Roy (Laborer) about his pink coffee drinks and Hammer (AFL-CIO?) about his country music. Maggie (No. Cal. Labor Organizer) has just returned to work at Labor 08 and she adds great energy and focus to the office. My new friends are also teaching me Spanish. Yesterday I learned how to say ballot, ballot box, candidate and president. We’re starting out with easy words but will start with sentences on Monday.

I find that I’m rather wound up and having a hard time sleeping. I was up until three a.m. Sunday morning worrying about what will become of us if Obama does not win. Hopefully, a three hour canvass walk with the local Obama offices will wear my body down enough to overcome my overactive imagination. I’ll meet my friend Leslie for a 3-6 shift. I confess, I am a bit anxious about setting out today given this overwhelm of political activity and my lack of familiarity with the area. I’m wearing my black boots that come up to my knees in case I get attacked by a dog.

GOBAMA! WALKING IT, TALKING IT AND ORGANIZING IT IN NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque, New Mexico is flooded with political activity. There are five Obama offices alone in Albuquerque and I have seen more Obama lawn signs and bumper stickers here than in the most liberal areas of Northern California. This great presence of Obama support does not go uncontended as, although limited, there is a presence of McCain signs. I find the “Another Democrat for McCain” signs most disturbing.

The current polls reflect Obama up by 5 or 11[1], depending on the poll. Although, NM is looking blue, it is of a light shade. In 2004, New Mexico’s 5 electoral votes went to George Bush, who beat Kerry by only a .8 lead. This will be another close election and Obama’s lead has not slowed the pace of his supporters.

In addition to Obama offices, local/state/national labor organizations are sending representative to work together through AFL-CIO’s Labor 2008 offices in Albuquerque. The task is to support Obama and other labor friendly political candidates. Two significant candidates are Udall for Senate (he has a significant lead) and Heinrick for Congress (he’s falling behind).

I arrived in New Mexico late Monday afternoon and made my way to Labor 08 to introduce myself to Don Manning, the Coordinator of New Mexico State Labor Federation. I was promptly redirected to Tiffany, the Coordinator for Labor 08. After standing by amid the shuffling of groups here and there, Tiffany welcomed me warmly and gave me a brief orientation of the space and the type of work they are doing; phone banking, canvassing, mailings and pushing the early vote which begins October 18th. Between now and November 4, there is an enormous about of work to do and every day will be busy.

After departing Labor 08, I stopped by one of the Obama campaign offices to check in with Ed Webster at the Central office. Ed seemed highly stressed and wanted me to work before and after Labor 08 and on the weekends. I told him I could only commit to canvassing two shifts Saturday and two shifts Sunday -- any other time would be dependant upon free time at Labor 08. In any rate, Labor 08 sends their volunteers to Obama offices (“in your Union shirts!!”) if they have extra volunteers.

I returned to Labor 08 on Tuesday morning. The office was bustling with volunteers phone banking, entering data and preparing to depart en-mass to canvass areas in and around Albuquerque. I wanted to be rolling out to canvass the reservations with a group of AFT members but … alas… I was asked to display my superior mass mailing skills. Soooo, along with about 15 other folks, we proceeded to fold, stuff and pack thousands of mailers asking union members to vote for Obama, Udall and Heinrick.

Later, with canvass and phone results coming in, I was set to scan results of member polls into our system.

At around 6:30 I drove across town to meet a friend of mine at a Northern Obama Campaign office and to attend their canvass training. I love this little office, it's run by two very young, very passionate women and set in a tiny pueblo style house. It’s just rustic as hell and packet to the gills with folks. An interesting note: the Obama office shares a little dirt parking lot with the house next door. Unfortunately, the guy hates Obama and stands outside screaming at people who even come near his property -- as if the nasty signs he’s posted all over are not enough -- “DO NOT PARK HERE OBAMA.” Luckily, the little fruit store across the street loves Obama so they let volunteers park in their lot. The city is truly split, but Obama’s lot is full. (I think that's cute but I may just be delirious).

Today’s work was even less interesting at Labor 08. My day started with filing boxes and boxes of canvass packets and then filling out scripted “vote early” post cards by hand. The last two hours were spent phone banking for Heinrick.

Regardless of the tedious and dry work I’m still having a blast and I feel helpful. I’m meeting new folks every day; many of whom are local and many from out of state. I’ve stuffed envelopes with a young plumber from Texas, laborers from Northern and Southern California and teachers from Boston. I’ve commiserated with a United Airline union member about how laborious it is to hand write post cards (who hand writes anymore???). I really got to know everyone when I had to announce to the entire office that my name is not “J-la” “J-Lo” or “Jamala.” It’s agreed everyone will either call me Jilala, J or Lala (if you insist).

I should also mention that David Rosenfeld is a superstar. People keep saying “Rosenfeld!!! You work with Rosenfeld!?” I say "yes" and smile ... I know what is coming ... “That guy’s crazy!” They then go on to tell me how much they respect and admire him.

Tomorrow will be my most exciting day yet. I’m going canvassing!!! I'll be heading out with a bunch of Laborers from Northern California to an outlying area of Albuquerque.

I’m off for some well needed reset. After spending two nights with my brother, sister-in-law and their two children (both under 18 months) I’m looking forward to sleeping through the night. If those two little ones were’nt so frigging cute and loved, I would have growled at them for alternately waking up every hour during the night.

Lastly, before I sleep, I’m trying to shake the image I got from watching the debate tonight…McCain and Palin’s “breath” spreading over our nation. It will be a cold day if that happens.

[1] New Mexico: McCain vs. Obama
Polling Data
Poll.
Date
Sample
Obama (D)
McCain (R)
Spread
RCP Average
09/17 - 10/02
--
49.8
42.5
Obama +7.3
Albuquerque Journal
09/29 - 10/02
659 LV
45
40
Obama +5
Rasmussen
10/01 - 10/01
700 LV
49
44
Obama +5
SurveyUSA
09/29 - 09/30
689 LV
52
44
Obama +8
PPP (D)
09/17 - 09/19
1037 LV
53
42
Obama +11

BARACK-IN IT

The Volunteer Leave Scholarship is due tomorrow and I'm still trying to give words to my hope and inspiration over the upcoming elections. I'm also nervous about this Sara Palin and how people are reacting to her. Makes me wonder if poor Bullwinkle, also dazed by Sara, even noticed she had a gun pointed at him