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Organizer in Chief: `Because we won, we now have no choice'
I don't know whether or not many people here check out The Field on a daily basis.
In case not, there's a super home-made video of Barack talking to his staff in Chicago this weekend.
How I wish this one could have prime time coverage - I think it would go down very well with at least some of the people who are sceptical of him.
No hype - but quiet, level-headed & sincere
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/
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Comments (26)
BTW while I'm recommending posts...
Poblano has an encouraging article today covering analysis he's done of state migrations since the last consensus which hopefully will favour the Democrats.
ie concentrate McCain's popular vote more to his electoral college disadvantage.
Hallelujah!
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
June 8, 2008 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/
June 8, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
You should change your nick to 'LinkFixer'.
June 8, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Amazing! Thanks for posting this, Francesca!
June 8, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're very welcome, Ami.
Hey, posting from Germany...
I have a LOVELY story from Germany about the election. It was on our `international` news service. It was just after the Iowa win and the reporter was asking people in the street what they thought of it all. They were hugely positive, all so excited, and there was one delightful man who said,
`Dere is a change of vind in da American peeeple...`
LOL!
(Reminded me of a lovely, elderly German friend of my mothers who said to me once
`Birds of a feder fock mit demselves...)
huge grin
June 8, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! This would be cruel if it wasn't true. Most Germans really have a very pronounced accent when speaking English. It can be cute though...
June 8, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, thank you for sharing this.
It truly is amazing that Obama is far more adept at inspiring while ad-libbing, than Bush ever was with a script.
June 8, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cool look inside campaign headquarters. The public doesn't often get to hear a pep talk by candidates to their staff. The quote in the post's title is what really jumped out at me as well.
Thanks!
June 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really great.
June 8, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
For a post that contains both the Obama HQ video and a variety of specific tools for getting involved,
see Kid Oakland's post on Daily Kos at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/7/233541/1086/910/532016
June 8, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Its interesting to see the "off-the-stump" Obama. He's much more low-key but no less inspiring. Its interesting to hear that they weren't particularly expecting to win the nomination had they not won Iowa.
June 8, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah -- he'd almost certainly have been out of luck had he lost Iowa. Endless credit to Obama and his staff and volunteers for working their tails off at the retail level there for a year. And to the wise discretion of Iowa's caucus-goers for throwing out convention and picking a candidate who, while young, unconventional, and less well known going in, is an outright force of nature.
June 8, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some commentator, I forget who, was heard to observe (or perhaps quoting someone who observed): "Obama is a thoroughbred. Once you let him out of the stable, the field is changed and you may not be able to stop him."
So, yeah, thanks Iowa!!!
June 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was Pat Buchanan!
(of all people)
June 8, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, my word. You're right - it was him. Quandry: would I have repeated the quote if I knew the source? Probably -- he has to get it right once in every 1,000 or so pontifications, just by the law of probability, right? I think he did that time.
June 8, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I love about him is how many other people he let's out of the stable too. Or horses. Not sure how to carry on the metaphor. Everybody mentions him as inspiring as if that is empty. He doesnn't just inspire other people to act he inspires other people to leadership. The first time I ever volunteered for Obama and the virst time I ever canvassed, the person at the campaign office give me a button that said "Precinct Captain." Now, I most certainly was not a Precinct Captain, and didn't claim to be, but she said the button would give me credibility. The way Obama talks to his obviously very young staffers in this video reminded me of my precinct captain button. If you treat people like they are leaders then they will act like them.
June 8, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
We will love Iowa forever, great karma starter!
June 8, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Iowa has good dems, and really loony Republicans. (Like most states, in my book, but the gap is wider than most places, though the entire upper midwest is this way to a degree).
June 8, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Francesca, thank you. I actually cried. It was worse than a phone company commercial.
For all of the criticism Obama takes for being "all rhetoric", it is so sad that others don't understand the true nature of language. The fact that this is how we receive inspiration from others. This video made him look like a world-class athletic coach. The kind you want just before you try the high jump in the Olympics
This kind of approach to language, to use it in a beneficial way, is the only thing that outwardly defines any sentience we may seem to have. I mean, dogs don't write poetry, but they can lick their own balls. So, who is to say who is more conscious?
Words is all we got!
June 8, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bookmarked it so that I could watch it several times in the coming days. I think I could learn lots of stuff just watching. It inspire me to no end.. Love it!
June 8, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bookmarked it so that I could watch it several times in the coming days. I think I could learn lots of stuff just watching. It inspire me to no end.. Love it!
June 8, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was an all-staff conference call, btw. Every organizer in the country was on that, while enjoying their breaks or taking a minute away from general election prep
June 8, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have dial-up only, took FOREVER to load. But was worth every nanosecond.
June 8, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Francesca -
Thank you for finding and posting this! Fantastic!
It is not just a world class political operation he's crafted. It's a new platform for change. Not just a way to reach people, but for people to reach back.
This may never make the MSM, and that's fine, but it shows what strength and integrity Obama has. I voted for him Super Tuesday; I already had that sense about him. It's too bad something like this didn't get out before that - might have shortened things up a bit.
But I'm very glad it's out now.
PASS IT ON!
June 8, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"No hype - but quiet, level-headed & sincere"
That is the way Barack comes across to people who meet him and talk with him. I believe he really does have potential to be a great president, if the people help.
June 9, 2008 6:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Psychologically, he avoided all leader's mistakes: he attributed achievements to his staff, giving them not only gratitude, but empowering them for the next stage. He showed empathy acknowledging they feel exhausted, but inspired them with high citizen's responsibility. This speech should be included in psychological trainings
June 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
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