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Saturday, July 30, 2005
OH-02: Paul Hackett Mobilization
Posted by Bob BrighamFive minutes ago, a crowd of 500 to 600 fired up volunteers finished cheering the Paul Hackett at a campaign rally with John Glenn, Max Clelland -- both Democratic candidates for Governor of Ohio -- and dozens of local elected officials.
I'm sitting on a fire escape looking down upon the mobilization that followed the rally. As I write this, people are being rapidly trained and deployed for a day of door walking. They're targeting Democrats and Kerry supporters which provides a very large universe for an election that will be decided by a small pool of voters who actually turn out.
The campaign is effectively organizing the large crowd, pairing up locals with those who have travelled from all over (I caught a ride to the rally from a Kossack from Florida...another Kossack, Cory Kates, just introduced himself to me. He recognized me from Daily Kos -- he decided that if I had come from California he would drive down from Cleveland).
This is only one of many mobilizations going on right now, all across the district. The locals are smelling an upset and are doing everything they can during the final stretch to seize this opportunity.
I have video of the event, and will be hitting other events across southern Ohio today...more to come.
UPDATE: Via my cellular card, I'm now posting live from the Hackett motorcade. The candidate is leading in his hybrid and followed by a half dozen cars. There are rumors the Blogfather himself might be coming down today.
UPDATE: We've arrived in a residential area. The candidate, a couple of his marines who have come out to join the campaign, and Max Cleland are now canvessing together, followed by some press. Staffers all have cell phones to their ears and one of the marines has pulled out his digital camera to take photos of what he's participating in. At the first door, Hackett knocked and the person on the other side asked who it was. Hackett announced (loud enough for me to hear in a car across the street), "Paul Hackett, I'm running for congress." Indeed.
UPDATE: Susan Turnbull, Vice Chair of the DNC, just came over to where I've planted myself on the sidewalk. She's very passionate about this race, she worked this district right out of college. She's also a big fan of the blogs.
UPDATE: Here is today's 12:33 PM fundraising update (yesterday's numbers):
Main List: $368,425.56 from 6999 wonderful people
Eschaton: $25,006.59 from 635 great people
If you can't make it down to volunteer, consider making a donation to help the campaign take care of the volunteers and cover GOTV expenses. While Hackett has received overwhelming support from the netroots, he's getting an even better response from voters at the doors. He's far more inspiration in person than I could ever hope to convey in a post...
UPDATE: The motorcade is rolling, we're going to to grab the candidate's motorcycle!
UPDATE: I'm in the Hackett Family living room, watching the wicked witch on Hardball video from Crooks and Liars.
UPDATE: Lots of energy in the Hackett Living room. Max Clelland and John Glenn are talking with the staff, lots of cell-phone action...pulling together the last minute details. It was funny watching everyone crowded around my laptop to watch video from Crooks and Liars. People are grabbing a quick bite to eat and then hitting the trail again. Right now, over 800 volunteers are walking door-to-door. But we need more people, so come on down!
UPDATE: Max Clelland loved the live-blogging. I know a whole bunch of people would have loved to be in that living room with the first man in space John Glenn; American hero Max Clelland; Congressman Ted Strickland; DNC Vice-Chair Susie Turnbull and of course, Paul Hackett. I've much more on this later...
Posted at 11:30 AM in Ohio | Technorati
Comments
Keep it up! God damn I wish I could make it to Ohio. Ive been doing my best to help Hackett financially, but I really wish I could meet him and show my support in person. Lets get the job done and push him over the top!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: nickshepDEM ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.swingstateproject.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 30, 2005 11:52 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Oh yeah, Bob if you get a minute I have a question. I have been talking to a Republican in Oh-2 on a neutral forum I frequent. He's telling me its not gonna' be close. The support for Hackett is an isolated movement. When you travel the district at you see is Schmidt yard signs... Is this true?
Posted by: nickshepDEM at July 30, 2005 11:54 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Getting a teary eyed over the coverage of Hackett's campaign. Over at our little site, Words">http://whpsocal.blogspot.com/">Words Have Power, we have been doing what we can to help Paul. Reading Bob's stuff from the field makes it clear that the Democratic Party and more importantly, the country, needs people like Paul Hackett. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Words Have Power at July 30, 2005 03:59 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
If Schmidt wins this election it will show that world that the 2nd District of Ohio is ignorent... It will be a terrible shame to see that continue... The good people of the 2nd District of Ohio will not allow that to happen. Not after what Jean Schmidt has shown us what she is all about... buttons that remind me of her nephew that is misssing in action over there because he's only thinking of joining and rubber stamps made by a president that doesn't have any relatives over there either.
Peter Deane
Posted by: The Smoke eter at July 30, 2005 04:03 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Hackett living room - Holy Shit!
Make sure you get shots of the Harley rally!
Posted by: NBachers at July 30, 2005 04:18 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
What can I do from KC MO, I couldn't get to Ohio this week? If someone emails me a phone-list I will burn up the lines!
Posted by: Global Citizen at July 30, 2005 04:26 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
I am thrilled to see some Democratic passion going on there, Thanks everybody!
I am sorry I didn't bring this up earlier because it is Ohio, but we can at least use it for other races if we don't need to use it for this one:
Making your own voting reciept:
http://www.yuricareport.com/VotingProblems/html_NewVotingReceipt.html
Posted by: grannyinsanity at July 30, 2005 05:20 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
And we are 1 shy of 50 donors for $1,925 down here in Texas for our Honorary Texan Paul Hackett ActBlue project, thanks to Richard Morrison kicking in the use of his e-mail yesterday as well.
Posted by: Karl-T at July 30, 2005 06:54 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
One litte correction. John Glenn was the first man to orbit the Earth. Yuri Gregarin was the first man in space and Scott Shepard was the first American in space. Details, details all had the right stuff as does Hackett.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: markg8 at July 31, 2005 01:14 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment