GObama

DC is nuts for politics. Ninety-something percent of DC residents voted for Obama and they like to make their opinions known. So basically there were a ton of posters, flyers, newspaper articles, volunteers, stickers, TV specials, pins, discussions, t-shirts, etc. related to the election all over the place.

When Obama won, the city let loose! This huge mob gathered in front of the White House and did what every other happy mob does - screamed, jumped up and down, sang, hugged anyone and everyone nearby, and screamed some more. It didn't matter that it was pouring rain. It was pretty awesome. I unfortunately wasn't there. Having campaigned all day around Virginia, I was ready to just chill with the Todds. Actually that's false, the main reason why I didn't go was because there's no bus that reaches the Todd's house after 9PM. I sort of wish I had just gone anyways and figured it out on the fly. Oh well.

Speaking of volunteering for the finely tuned Obama Volunteer Machine, I hope he runs the country as well as he organized his volunteers. Seriously, it was amazing. You show up at the nearest volunteer event or location near you (which you find the second you log on to his website after this huge screen pops up that simply says "Volunteer Now. Find the Nearest Place. Go." or something to that effect.) You show up, and they shuffle you into a line. A guy comes out and says "We need people to ___". If you have a car, you step up to drive around and knock on doors. If you don't, you partner up with someone who does. Otherwise you sign up to go walk around, make phone calls, prepare materials, be at polling places, etc. All of which is busily happening in the cozy little volunteer headquarters.

I partnered up with a lady to knock on doors. We were promply given specific directions (and a map) to get to a local volunteer's house. The campaign had tagged registered Democrats that were sporadic voters. We got another map to a group of houses, a script, door-hangings, information about residents, and boxes to check off. Throughout the day, volunteers would make 3 sweeps to the houses to make sure that people either voted already or got a ride to the polls if they needed one. The volunteer coordinator would update the lists after every sweep. A steady stream of drivers came in and out of the house for the few minutes we were there. We finished up, handed in our sheets, and I got dropped off back at the headquarters for rounds 2 and 3. It was awesome, and made me all the more supportive of our president elect.

On election day in downtown Arlington there were volunteers cheering enthusiastically on EVERY corner. There were old people in wheelchairs, young students with hand-written signs, parents with children - you name it. The first lady I canvassed with was a retired elderly woman. The second was a young professional with three kids and three tours in Iraq under his belt. Volunteers answered Obama's call in droves, both here and across the country. Just goes to show you what a little change can put in the minds and actions of Americans of all shapes and sizes.

And he won! Yesssss! The best is yet to come.