This is Why I'm Volunteering for Boxer & Obama. Will you join us? Only FOUR days left!

At 4:50pm on Thursday evening I was sitting in the office building where I work, less than two miles from the site of the Giants v Rangers game. I had one eye on the internet coverage of the game, and the other on the phone because I was excitedly waiting for President Obama to call me.



OK ... maybe Obama wasn't going to personally dial my number, and maybe I was not the only Democratic Party Youth Leader waiting for their phone to ring. But I was still kind of freaking out:)

After listening to President Obama’s remarks, and some follow up commentary from the College Democrats of America and the Democratic National Committee’s Youth Council, I put the Youth Leaders call on hold, and dialed into a 5pm call for the Democratic Party’s California Team with Obama and Senator Barbara Boxer.

Obama talked about why he supports Senator Boxer, and encouraged us all to volunteer in the few remaining days before the election. Obama has visited California several times this year to support Senator Boxer's re-election campaign. Jill Biden and Michelle were here recently, too.



Here's a Barbara Boxer campaign radio spot featuring Obama:



In addition to hearing from Obama on the Thursday night calls, I really enjoyed hearing from Senator Boxer. She has been my favorite senator since I started paying close attention to politics after the Twin Towers fell during my second year at Pace Law School. Following my graduation from law school I moved from New York to San Francisco, where I got to be one of Senator Boxer's constituents:)

Two years later I made the cross-country move again, from San Francisco to Washington, DC because I dreamed of working for Senator Boxer on international marine debris issues. It took 4 months, a job at a coffee shop and another at a call center, plus 2 internships and probably a hundred informational interviews, but I actually secured a job working for Senator Boxer!


photo: Co-worker Kelly & I, June 2008

While I later left Senator Boxer's employ to run a voter registration drive that I thought might benefit the Obama Presidential Campaign, I will always be loyal to Senator Boxer.

That's why I've been down at the San Francisco Democratic Party campaign office a few evenings after work recently, calling fellow San Francisco Democrats to remind them to vote, and that's why I'm going door to door in San Francisco neighborhoods this weekend with Organizing for America, to remind people to vote on Tuesday.

I need to know that I am doing everything that I can to make sure that Obama has the allies that he needs in Congress, like Senator Boxer. As MoveOn.org said in a recent email: "Do you really need clean socks that bad?" HA. No, my dirty socks can wait until Nov 3.


photo: West LA volunteers

If you feel similarly, then what can you do? LOTS.

1.) Join up with Organizing for America to make phone calls to Democrats who voted for the first time in Nov 2008. We need to make sure that they go back to the polls on Tuesday. Even making 10 minutes worth of calls will help. (Note that when you click on the link here, you'll be taken to the California OFA page. If you live in a different state then go to the top right-hand corner of the page and change your location.)

2.) If you can volunteer in person (either at an OFA office making phone calls, or canvassing your city's neighborhoods) then google "Organizing for America" plus your state's name to find your local OFA office. For example, here's the California page. Then call the office, or stop by to find out how you can help. This is not a time to be shy!

3.) Of course you can donate money if you want. The Boxer Store is having a sale!

4.) I voted early via absentee ballot. I typed up how I voted, and shared it in a "note" on Facebook. Based on what I've read (and the positive feedback I've received from friends) it seems like this personal contact really works.

5.) Finally, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE on Nov 2. Make sure your family members, friends, co-workers, professors, neighbors, etc vote! If you can take the day off from work then Organizing for America could really use your help. Again, find your local OFA office to find out where your help is most needed on Election Day.

THANK YOU for anything that you can do.



GO TEAM BOXER:) Go Obama! GO VOLUNTEERS!!! United together, we CAN do this.

Because Michelle asked me to.

I just received this email from Michelle Obama. It went out to everyone who receives the Organizing for America emails. It inspired me to give (again).

Nicole --

I've always said that 2008 was an amazing journey. But nothing from that election struck me more than seeing so many giving their time and lending their voices because they were ready for change.

Two years ago, in state after state -- no matter where I went -- I saw grandmothers out canvassing, college kids traveling to swing states and sleeping on gymnasium floors, and people using their lunch breaks to make a few more calls. So many got involved for the very first time, each one bringing others along with them.

It was inspiring to witness.

Now, Barack and I need you to help show that energy again. Because this is such a critical moment, a group of grassroots donors are ready to match any contribution you can give.

Across the country, teachers and firefighters, truckers and nurses have made pledges of support hoping to inspire you to take the next step. Because of them, a $3 contribution will become $6.

Donate today and answer your fellow supporter's pledge to match whatever you can give.

Here's how it works:

-- You choose the amount you are able to give and another supporter willing to match that amount doubles it.

-- You can choose to write a note to the individual who matched your donation and tell them why you decided to own a piece of this movement.

Since the day Barack announced his plan to run for office, supporters like you have made everything we've achieved possible.

That's as true now as it was on Election Day in 2008.

You're the reason we reformed a health care system that was broken, progress that means so much to so many. You're the reason we reined in Wall Street banks that were out of control.

But Barack can't keep making progress without strong allies in Congress. And now the same people who've opposed us at every turn are targeting the folks who voted to make change real. They think we can't do it again.

But they're wrong.

If the folks who I saw in 2008 -- those of you who packed up your bags and slept on floors and made calls and talked to voters day after day -- are ready to stand with us again, then I'm ready for any challenge that lies ahead.

That's why we're asking you to help grow this movement once again.

The plan for this election is based on the lessons we learned two years ago. Our organizers and volunteers are knocking on doors every weekend, making calls every night. Your support will help to fund this work.

Another supporter is asking you to join them today -- and has pledged to match whatever you can give.

Please donate $3 or more to help grow this movement before November 2nd:

https://donate.barackobama.com/MichelleMatch

Thank you,

Michelle Obama


Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

New Obama Loyalty Initiative

Generation 44 ("Gen44") is named for the 44th US President, Barack Obama. This is the Democratic National Committee's effort to build upon the 2008 presidential campaign's "Generation Obama" initiative.

Gen44 was created to cultivate and empower a rising generation of business, government, public and private sector leaders under the age of 40 for the Democratic Party - for fundraising initiatives both for the Democratic National Committee and for President Obama's "Organizing for America." It will also serve as a platform for political mobilization so that President Obama can implement his policy ideas.

And the Winner of the Obama Health Care Video Contest is ...

This is a follow up to my October 30th post-

After nearly 1,000 submissions, 20 amazing finalists, and more than 3 million views, Organizing for America has the winner of their Health Reform Video Challenge.

In the next few days, the winning video will be used as the basis for a new television ad that will air across the country.

It's Time to Vote ... for your favorite Obama health care video!

This is a follow-up to my October 7th post about Organizing for America's video challenge --

We just finished going through the submissions to Organizing for America's Health Reform Video Challenge, and they're great. There are personal stories that grab your heart, brilliant summaries of what reform would really mean, and plenty of biting satire that calls out the insurance lobbyists.

Out of nearly a thousand excellent videos submitted, we're down to the top 20. Now it's your turn to watch the finalists and vote for your favorites -- and then we'll air the winner on national television.

The top 20 ads will also be voted on by our panel of experts and artists, including Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, animator and director Seth MacFarlane, actress Kate Walsh, Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine.



As an aside, check out the story of Obama's first meeting with Kate Walsh.

These were my favorite 3 videos of the 20 submitted - in no particular order --

Call for Entries: America's Health Reform Video Challenge

Just received this text in an email from Organizing for America:

Nicole --

Last month, we launched Organizing for America's Health Reform Video Challenge -- a contest to make the best 30-second ad showing why the President's plan for reform is so critical.

Today, I'm excited announce a great panel of OFA volunteers, campaign veterans and well-known artists who will join me to help select the winning ad. The panel will include will.i.am, whose viral "Yes We Can" video fired up our movement last year, as well as Virginia Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, actress Kate Walsh, and animator Seth MacFarlane (check out the full panel below).

There are less than two weeks left to submit a video before the October 18th deadline. The top submissions will be seen by millions online, and we'll run the winning ad on national television. With Congress moving into the final phase of this health reform debate, we need your creativity and voice out there more than ever.

Click here for all the info, rules, and everything else you need to get started.

You don't need special experience to record a powerful message. But if you know someone who makes great videos and wants to make a huge difference on the national stage, please pass on this note right away.

Your video can be serious or funny, simple or sophisticated. Just make sure to focus on why we need to fix today's broken system, or how President Obama's plan will help make sure all Americans have the care they need.

Thanks, as always, for lending your voice.

David Plouffe

P.S. -- Here's the full list of judges: will.i.am, front man and producer of the multi-platinum Black Eyed Peas; actress and Voto Latino founder Rosario Dawson; Kate Walsh from "Private Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy;" Olivia Wilde from "House;" Dulé Hill from "The West Wing" and "Psych;" "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane; John Cho from "Harold and Kumar" and "American Pie;" and Brandon Routh from "Superman Returns."

We'll also have Virginia Governor and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine; DNC Executive Director Jen O'Malley Dillon; Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy; myself; and some of Organizing for America's most active grassroots volunteers: Courtney S. from Georgia, Michelle M. from Arizona, and Erin T., a student organizer in New Hampshire.