(Portland, Oregon) 
Across town at Hillary Clinton's campaign headquarters, a phone bank was set up; and dozens of people were on the lines in a last-minute effort to get out the vote. While most polls have had Sen. Clinton down by 12 to 18 points, a more recent poll put the margin at 4 points. So the political troops were in high gear, dialing for votes. "We always knew it was going to be an uphill fight," said communications aide Frank Rothman. "We're just working as hard as we can." 
A sign says the phone banks will be open Wednesday, even though Oregon's primary will be over. The volunteers will be calling voters in Montana and South Dakota, which hold the final two primaries on June 3. "We have the (telephone) infrastructure," says Rothman, "so we're going to use it."
If you ever want to visit a political nerve center, then visit a campaign headquarters on election day. But be careful, you might get run over in the process. Such was the case today at Barack Obama's main campaign office in Portland. 
People were working the phones; and people were coming in for lists to be used canvassing the neighborhoods. Despite a big lead in most polls, Obama's communications director told me there was no time to talk with me. "It's election day, and every vote counts!"
People were working the phones; and people were coming in for lists to be used canvassing the neighborhoods. Despite a big lead in most polls, Obama's communications director told me there was no time to talk with me. "It's election day, and every vote counts!" While driving through a nearby neighborhood, I found a volunteer doing a door-to-door canvass; and she is not even from Oregon. 
Sara Eckhouse is here from Iowa, helping out. She has been away in Europe most of the year, and so this is the first chance for her to work directly on the Obama campaign. "Well, I've been out of the country. Oregon was the place to go!" she told me. As for why she chose Obama from the originally crowded field of Democrats? "I like that he brings people together," she said. "I like that he is really intelligent and not a divisive figure." She adds, "He's something the country needs right now, because we are so divided and polarized."
Sara Eckhouse is here from Iowa, helping out. She has been away in Europe most of the year, and so this is the first chance for her to work directly on the Obama campaign. "Well, I've been out of the country. Oregon was the place to go!" she told me. As for why she chose Obama from the originally crowded field of Democrats? "I like that he brings people together," she said. "I like that he is really intelligent and not a divisive figure." She adds, "He's something the country needs right now, because we are so divided and polarized."
Across town at Hillary Clinton's campaign headquarters, a phone bank was set up; and dozens of people were on the lines in a last-minute effort to get out the vote. While most polls have had Sen. Clinton down by 12 to 18 points, a more recent poll put the margin at 4 points. So the political troops were in high gear, dialing for votes. "We always knew it was going to be an uphill fight," said communications aide Frank Rothman. "We're just working as hard as we can."
A sign says the phone banks will be open Wednesday, even though Oregon's primary will be over. The volunteers will be calling voters in Montana and South Dakota, which hold the final two primaries on June 3. "We have the (telephone) infrastructure," says Rothman, "so we're going to use it."
I will be at Obama headquarters for the anticipated victory rally tonight. And I will be "live" with Ross McGowan on KTVU's "Mornings on Two" Wednesday morning at 7:45.
Updates are coming, at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com
Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.
No comments:
Post a Comment