The experts on CNN tell us that every generation has a new way of organizing. Already before E-Day, they predict that not only may Obama win the election – but he has already redefined how a campaign is organized in this time and age. Although they try to remain objective (some networks more than others), they are all in awe over the way Obama and his chief strategist David Axelrod, have redefined this game. The Obamachine is particularly strong in its ground game – the hard work out in each of the battleground states, of which I have been lucky to be part.
For the Americans, convenience is king – for better and for worse. This is what has brought about drive-through McDonalds as well as drive-through pharmacies (I’ll take three Advils, two bags of morphine and a bottle of mouth wash) – but it also means that participation in elections has been slack for many years – and he, who can bring the voter everything on a silver platter, has a good chance of ‘getting out the vote’, as we call it – and win the election.
Look at how one of the best staging locations in Durham is run; a house opened up to volunteers, simply because the owners believe in the cause. Freshly brewed coffee, snacks, breakfast and everything you need to keep the energy going. Phoning stations are set up everywhere, from the bed room to the front porch. 5-10 people constantly sitting around the dinner table, hooked up to the voter database, and punching in numbers all day long. And then the all-important game-changer; so many volunteers, that a poor Dane cannot believe his eyes. Families, older couples, young students, single moms – the front porch is filled with people, just waiting to be told what to do, which doors to knock or who to call. They’re given a pack containing a list of addresses, flyers or door hangers, a 10-minute introduction to today’s talking script – and off they go !
Yesterday alone, the team in Virginia knocked on 1 million doors – 1 million, baby ! That’s one sixth of the Danish population – in one day ! If only Kraeftens Bekaempelse or some of the other charity organizations had these resources, imagine what they could accomplish...
Some people say it comes from Obama’s days as a community organizer, combined with David Axelrod’s impressive organization – which is probably true, you do need a strong management team. But I give these grassroots much credit as well; they’re not just hands and feet – there’s a lot of brains here, too !
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