Organizing Fellows: Tina in Missouri

July 14, 2008

As part of a continuing series, we’re following Obama Organizing Fellows as they share their stories and their experiences. They discuss the people they meet, the hardships of organizing, what the campaign means to them, and how this summer is changing their perspective.

Tina is an Organizing Fellow in Missouri. Her stories appear each Monday.

I write this at 11:00pm, Sunday night, completely exhausted and suffering as much stress as when my robotics team stayed awake all night before a competition to finish our machine. Back then, we had one long night left before the showdown, and we were working to win a trophy. Now it’s 112 nights. Now we have to get Barack elected. In southwest Missouri.

Calling through lists of Obama supporters lulled me into a false sense of security during my first few weeks of organizing. Tonight, while phone banking, I looked up at a drawing of FDR and realized that if he hadn’t been elected, this country might have collapsed. I make the same connection with Barack Obama.

The next president will inherit a war, a struggling economy, and a fragile environment. Changing direction will require revolutionary plans and a tenacity to carry them through. America needs Barack Obama to restore our nation’s strength and respect, and most of all our compassion towards the people who need our help the most. This is what I was thinking of at call #64 of the night, when I still hadn’t set up a one-on-one with any supporters.

This area is rough. People in the community have lectured, refused and threatened staff and volunteers, and it’s going to take a massive grassroots effort to reverse the power of misinformation. Weak excuses frustrate me, but only until I remember the amazing volunteers who have come through our doors. They sacrifice time and energy for the cause, even when it might seem disheartening.

Like at the Reeds Spring Music Festival, where we went to register voters and brought nearly as many volunteers with us as fest-goers. Even then we found encouragement in the support that a tiny rural town gave us — the mayor was on board, offering his fence space for a big sign and asking for buttons.

I read about the St. Louis team’s outreach at the Warped Tour and can’t help but laugh when I compare it to a recent Springfield concert, where about 20 people (all of whom were registered) gathered in a small park. Nevertheless, another Fellow and I were there, having conversations about Barack and getting the word out about our campaign’s presence. Springfield knows we’re here, and as we spend more time with house meetings and canvassing, they’ll realize that we care not just about winning, but about involving them in this movement and improving their lives.

In the end, though, winning stands as the ultimate goal. In my junior year, our robotics team thought it was pretty cool to win third place. That’s not an option in this race. That’s why I was in the office until 10:00pm. And that’s why it’s so vital for every supporter in southwest Missouri to get involved.