Optimism For Obama in California From the Grassroots

Michelle Obama has also appeared throughout the state. Most recently, she attended the Governor 's Conference for Women in Long Beach, sponsored by First lady Maria Shriver on October 22nd.

TURNING GRASSROOTS SUPPORT INTO ACTION

This campaign is one of inspiration, not obligation, and is fusing support from long-time activists with voters inspired to participate for the first time. Legions of supporters have already signed up to support our campaign. Thousands have canvassed for us door to door, the latest effort being the National Walk for Change held on Oct 13th. Supporters gathered in 40 canvass sites throughout the state knocked on a total of 10,000 doors in California, spreading Barack Obama's message of hope and change.

In four California cities -- San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Los Angeles – Obama supporters held rallies on October 2nd marking the 5th anniversary of Senator Obama’s first speech in opposition to the war in Iraq. We are building the largest grassroots campaign in history across the country, one that inspires and empowers people to take charge of the political system and organize, organize, organize. We have the biggest organization on the ground in the early states and February 5th states and we will have the capacity to deliver the biggest turnout on Election Day.

In California, we have been assisted by the legendary Marshall Ganz , who worked with Caesar Chavez for over 15 years organizing farm workers, in creating a field structure that is growing exponentially as more volunteers come on board. Under the direction of Buffy Wicks, we have already organized 70 teams in the 53 Congressional Districts that will be able to make over 1.5 million direct voter contacts.

We are organizing down to the precinct level at targeted areas with a high concentration of Democrats in many parts of the state. Given that there are over 27,000 precincts in California, this is not an easy task, but one we are able to accomplish because of our broad-based grassroots support. We have had scores of training sessions all over California where we give our volunteers the tools and technological support that will allow them to effectively contact voters. Camp Obamas have been held in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Ventura, Inland Empire, San Jose, Stockton, Palmdale, South Los Angeles and Monterey, training hundreds of supporters who will turn out the vote for Senator Obama on Februrary 5, 2008.

EXPANDING THE CALIFORNIA TEAM

Our campaign has attracted the support of both long-standing elected officials and a new generation distinguished by their commitment to changing the system. Supporting Senator Obama’s candidacy are the two highest ranking women statewide legislative leaders in California, Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero and Assembly Majority leader Karen Bass. In Los Angeles we have the endorsement of the first woman ever elected citywide in the history of Los Angeles, Controller Laura Chick, as well as City Council President Eric Garcetti. In the Bay area the first African American Female District Attorney in California, Kamala Harris, has been a strong supporter since the first days of the campaign. Steve Westly, the former State Treasurer, serves as our State Chair.

We are grateful for the support of many more Assemblymen and women, State Senators, Mayors and city officials. Our Statewide leadership team is comprised of successful business leaders, environmental leaders, labor officials, and political leaders in the Democratic Party, members of the LGBT community, and student representatives, who together, truly represent the unique diversity that is the strength of this great state.

Our campaign has opened offices in Los Angeles and Oakland in the past month and have staffed up with press secretaries in both locations, field staff to direct the grassroots operation, and constituency outreach coordinators. We are one of only two Democratic campaigns with staffed operations in the state.

PATH TO VICTORY

After we have captured momentum from good performances in the early states, California voters will make a fresh evaluation of the race. Unlike almost all of the other campaigns, we will have the financial resources to compete here.

Our grassroots field program is reaching across the demographic and geographic divisions in California to allow voters to hear from members of their families, friends, and communities about Barack Obama and our campaign. Independent voters are allowed to vote in the Democratic primary in California, and Barack Obama’s record of being able to unify Democrats and Republicans instead of driving a wedge through the political process will resonate among them. Senator Obama’s ability to attract support from independents will help us succeed in our efforts on February 5th.