The OBAMA Zone
CAUTION: You are about to enter an Obama Zone
If you think Barack Obama is a Muslim, or if you think he is a terrorist masquerading as a Presidential candidate, or if you think he is a black radical, or if you just don't plain like him, you may want to pass on this post.
You see, I am supporting Obama, and when it was looking bad last week, and some were saying that Obama might even lose North Carolina, I got busy. I have a reputation of pushing people to get involved when they don't like what's going on, and I had to pony up!
Off I went to North Carolina.
I was about there, thinking about the race, and there, right in front of me, was a sign!
I started to feel better!
I pulled into Charlotte, and it's a big city. I didn't have any idea where Elizabeth Avenue was (Obama Headquarters), so I asked a guy next to me in traffic; "Hey Bud, do you know where Elizabeth Avenue is?" And get this .... he says "are you going to the Obama Headquarters?" "Follow me". I was certain it was divine intervention.
I signed up to volunteer!
Before you can say "Jack Robinson" (whatever that means), I was knocking on doors.
And at the end of a long day of walking, talking, running from dogs, extinguishing rumors, etc., I was bushed. But then we heard that Michelle Obama was speaking at the Auditorium downtown, and I had heard that she was a really dynamic speaker, so I thought I'd see for myself.
As luck would have it, they needed more white people to sit on the stage behind Michelle Obama (don't want to feed into those black radical rumors!), and I was pulled out of line and sent to the stage. I hurriedly combed my hair and tucked in the tee-shirt - and I was ready!
She was good. She spoke for about 40 minutes, no notes, lots of passion. The crowd was big and excited. I managed not to shuffle around in my seat too much, but I was sure we all had those stupid "yes I'm sitting behind the candidate and looking like a doofus" look on our faces.
When she finished, she came by for a chat!
The next day was more of the same - walking, talking, hanging doorknob political pieces and the like.
But the mood on the street was good. I smelled victory. And by 7:30 that evening, a sweet victory it was!
If you think Barack Obama is a Muslim, or if you think he is a terrorist masquerading as a Presidential candidate, or if you think he is a black radical, or if you just don't plain like him, you may want to pass on this post.
You see, I am supporting Obama, and when it was looking bad last week, and some were saying that Obama might even lose North Carolina, I got busy. I have a reputation of pushing people to get involved when they don't like what's going on, and I had to pony up!
Off I went to North Carolina.
I was about there, thinking about the race, and there, right in front of me, was a sign!
I started to feel better!
I pulled into Charlotte, and it's a big city. I didn't have any idea where Elizabeth Avenue was (Obama Headquarters), so I asked a guy next to me in traffic; "Hey Bud, do you know where Elizabeth Avenue is?" And get this .... he says "are you going to the Obama Headquarters?" "Follow me". I was certain it was divine intervention.
I signed up to volunteer!
Before you can say "Jack Robinson" (whatever that means), I was knocking on doors.
And at the end of a long day of walking, talking, running from dogs, extinguishing rumors, etc., I was bushed. But then we heard that Michelle Obama was speaking at the Auditorium downtown, and I had heard that she was a really dynamic speaker, so I thought I'd see for myself.
As luck would have it, they needed more white people to sit on the stage behind Michelle Obama (don't want to feed into those black radical rumors!), and I was pulled out of line and sent to the stage. I hurriedly combed my hair and tucked in the tee-shirt - and I was ready!
She was good. She spoke for about 40 minutes, no notes, lots of passion. The crowd was big and excited. I managed not to shuffle around in my seat too much, but I was sure we all had those stupid "yes I'm sitting behind the candidate and looking like a doofus" look on our faces.
When she finished, she came by for a chat!
The next day was more of the same - walking, talking, hanging doorknob political pieces and the like.
But the mood on the street was good. I smelled victory. And by 7:30 that evening, a sweet victory it was!
Right on Tim. Kudos. The electorate needs more involved and dedicated people like you. It's time to turn the page on the Clintons and the divisive and negative politics they have come to represent. Triangulation equals strangulation!
Reply to this
I am disappointed that Hillary and Obama have not joined together to solve the problems of this nation as a team. We could use 4 smart, talented minds. The problems are vast and the trickle down is a disaster for everyone. Restaurants and businesses closing, construction jobs are a thing of the past, people losing their jobs and homes, no longer able to pay the rent, or pay for food that is soaring in price, property taxes and insurance, while government continues to spend our money as if there is no limit to our resources.
How is any President going to solve these disasters? The US has been financially bleeding to death for 8 years now while a few chosen people make money because of the military industrial complex and our young soldiers die.
I would like to hear a solid, doable plan, no more smoke and double talk. The US is in a depression, not a recession. Some people just do not see the full reality, yet, and Bush is too stupid for words. Not to mention that he is not running the country anyway. If Hillary and Obama were a team, they would win hands down. We can not afford another Republican President and I fear that even with a Democratic team, 8 years will not be enough to save our country. The bickering between candidates has hurt each of them and the Democratic Party. Too much time, energy and money is being spent in the campaigns against each other, when we have important work to be done.
Get out of Iraq immediately. Yes it will be a disaster, it already is a disaster and we are going under because of it. Stop the bleeding of our resources. Stop the devaluing of the dollar. Stop Multi-National corporations from controlling our food supply. Put people back to work in sustainable jobs, solve the mortgage mess, and that is only the beginning of what must happen on Day 1.
Thanks for working for a better USA. I enjoyed this article.
Reply to this
Glad to see you are supporting Obama. I think he will do a splendid job as Prez. The idea of 4 more years of George Bush is scary. I'm worried about alot of our North and Central Florida voters though. They just don't get it. 8 years of this nonsense is not enough for them. They seem to complain that McCain isn't conservative enough, but they are going to vote for him nonetheless. We need to turn out the votes big time in Broward.
Reply to this
Obama & Billary on the same ticket; wow what an idea for disaster! Obama wants to turn the page to the future. Why should he burden his ticket with baggage from the Clintons? Bill and Hillary don't represent forward looking politics only self-promotion and, in Bill's case, self-debasement. It's always about the Clintons with never ending scenarios that change the goal posts for victory each time they suffer a defeat. Hillary's metamorphic from uber-wonk of the Seven Sisters to Annie Oakley, dutiful daughter of Scranton and defender-protector of the working class has been very theatrical. She can't even find a graceful way to leave the campaign seeking instead to sully Obama with quasi-racist comments about how he cannot win in November. What an asset she would be!
Reply to this
Tim this sounds just like you, getting out there & getting people involved.
No matter what it is, from "crime walks" to supporting a candidate to be our next President of the USA. You give 100% if not more for what you believe in & getting citizens involved.
I have the highest respect for you & I know that you would never have gone to North Carolina if you did not believe that Obama should not be our next President.
To be honest, I know that I do not want Hillary as our next President, (what could happen when a PMS day occurs?)so it was who would I vote for? McCain or Obama or just not vote this election. Now I know, Thank you Tim!
(my brother in laws mom (Judy) will be happy to hear this one, for she always liked Obama from the very beginning)
Reply to this
Sure wish I could have been there in NC ringing door bells with you. I followed the primaries closely here in Seattle. Exciting stuff! One commentator said, "Hillary just won't admit she's lost." And I think Obama shows a lot of character and class in his victories. I'm hoping to see more and more super delegates endorse him before Montana's primary.
I see a lot of Obama signs and bumper stickers here in Seattle; also a few (gasp) Ron Paul yard signs.
Reply to this
You are a person of principal . I am honored to be your friend.
Reply to this
That Tim Smith - What a neat man!
Reply to this
Great story!!! Thanks for taking the time to be part of and report the insider's view of the election process.I admire your motivation to be an individual that gets involved with the world,rather than look at it,sit there and do nothing.
I especially enjoyed the photo of you and Michelle- very endearing!!!!
Reply to this
Excellent Tim, Obama is my choice as well. After my vote in 2000 was not allowed to be counted [yours neither], there's still hope. [btw try to photoshop edit the Michelle picture, looks like your tongue is hanging out]
Reply to this