What The 3,600 Are Actually Doing

Sometimes it's hard to keep all these programs and titles straight. So the Obama Fellows -- the 3,600 activists who'll work for the campaign over the next six weeks, will spend a lot of their time registering voters and a lot of their time participating in what the campaign calls its Unite for Change events. On June 28, the fellows will host several thousands UFC events in neighborhoods across the country, and yes, as I wrote that, I was thinking about Chuck Liddell too, but nevermind.

As described in an e-mail from deputy campaign manager Steve Hilderband:

"In all 50 states, supporters like you -- seasoned veterans and first-time volunteers alike -- will host house meetings with the express purpose of reaching out and bringing together folks who supported all of the Democratic candidates (and those who are just tuning into the process now)."

These house meetings form the core of the campaign's organizing model. The concept derives from organizing theory as taught by Saul Alinsky and as adopted by community organizers across the country. Never before has a major party presidential campaign used them to expand their support in a general election.

Comments

Good job linking it up Marc. You seem genuinely impressed, as we should be. This quite honestly is heartening. In this day and age where Americans like to vote with the remote control, to see this much interest in actually getting into communities to effect change almost gives one hope that Change is actually possible.

Community Involvement is not a partisan issue... it's an American Dream on the brink of Death...

Thanks for covering this inside story. it's one that the MSM will surely gloss over and hardly mention, but one that will likely be as impactful on the falls final election result than the worst smear any 527 has to offer...

When I campaigned in Houston, even Republicans were touched by the level of involvement Obama inspired. Quite possibly if the GOP would follow his lead, we'd have a better society as we'd gather organize and find agreement rather than hide behind the noise machines and propaganda picking sides in a pundit war that destroys our country and in and day out.

Posted by kubla000 | June 13, 2008 1:38 PM

Obama's whole campaign has felt like "Rules for Radicals" distilled and on steroids.

JMHO

Posted by Rhoda | June 13, 2008 1:40 PM

Hi! I am one of the Obama organizing fellows and will be starting my training in the coming weeks. You have no idea how well organized this campaign is and it should impress everyone to say the least. I have worked with the campaign ever since it began and the level of excitement keeps growing and not waning. While, we were dispirited by the wright affair, there were people within the campaign that had such focus and did not let us feel down even during those trying times. What I found impressive is the fact that not ONE WORD IS SPOKEN about Hillary- good or bad. Especially bad. The focus is on getting Senator Obama elected and that's it. I believe books should be written about how senator Obama pulled the greatest upsets in the history of American politics and somehow I feel that no one is really addressing that aspect of the story. It is phenomenally historic. I am however, peeved by the manner in which some of the delegates assigned to Mrs. clinton are behaving. He won fairly whether anyone likes it or not.

Posted by Ajai | June 13, 2008 2:03 PM

Marc, good post. 10,000 were interviewed for the 3600 positions being deployed in 17 states.
I am hosting 3 staff members here in GA, all of whom are multi state battle tested who have been interviewing, selecting the 265 fellows that will be in GA.
Getting housing setup etc and basic legwork has kept these talented young folks working until midnite every nite for weeks..
Today is training for staff and tomorrow and Sunday is training the fellows.
They are organizing across the state in groups of 7 with a leader in each group and the job has been described to me as part internship/part job interview for staff positions for the fall.
Great idea to see who the really good organizers are and who is really committed for the long haul.
One staffer who just joined us for the weekend was in Iowa from the week Obama announced in 2/2007 thru the Caucuses and now is a senior level field organizer.
The other 2 have 6-8 states apiece and some work in the Chicago HQ...
Here in GA we have 500K unregistered African Americans and a lot of enthusiasm for Obama. You see bumper stickers already every day - none for McCain and with favorite son Bob Barr from suburban Atlanta could really hurt McCain here.
Possibly enough to throw it our way....esp. with the organizing and staff commitment.
In the primary GA gave Obama his 3rd highest vote margin of any state and a huge delegate advantage.
There are dozens of events every week here already and the 50 state voter registration drive is in full swing here all the time.
If GA is a red state it is very lite red right now and I'd give us better than 50/50 to win it based on all of the above.

Posted by John Nail | June 13, 2008 2:09 PM

Irony of ironies. Hillary wrote her thesis on Salinsky, calling his methods "anachronistic."

Posted by Ray | June 13, 2008 2:17 PM

"On June 28, the fellows will host several thousands UFC events in neighborhoods across the country"

I see that Obama's stance on mixed martial arts is markedly different from that of McCain.

Posted by BP | June 13, 2008 2:29 PM

Marc, please moderate your comments and delete the Barry O post at 2:44pm.

Posted by anon | June 13, 2008 2:52 PM

I concur with Anon.

Posted by Ajai | June 13, 2008 3:04 PM

I concur with Anon.

Posted by Ajai | June 13, 2008 3:04 PM

Ajai quit your sniveling and get back to work.

Posted by Joe | June 13, 2008 7:52 PM

Ambinder is allowing comments again? Sweet!

To that end, I too will be one of the Fellows this summer. I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks for posting this story Marc - I was getting the feeling that everyone was ignoring this incredibly important program!

Posted by Patrick | June 13, 2008 8:51 PM

Hello! I have been accepted as an Obama Organizing Fellow as well. I will be working primarily in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area to get out the vote. I have started voter education classes and was wondering if anyone else has started. Please let me know what your results/reactions have been so far.

Posted by Latasha | June 17, 2008 2:44 PM

Posted by F.W. | July 14, 2008 10:03 AM