I saw the future of our party today, several can't vote but donated their time [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

I was a little late for the opening of the phone banks at 9 A.M.. I was seated at an 8 ft table in a small room. I was amazed at what I saw and heard over the next several hours. I was the only person over the age of 18 in the room at that time calling people asking them to be sure to caucus tonight for Edwards. My table had Marcie (18), Stephanie(18), Ethan(17), Sam(17), & Philip(18). These young adults gave up their Christmas vacation time and came up from a small town outside KC Missouri. One other youth at the table was from N. Carolina(15) I didn't get his name. These leaders of tomorrow worked the lines like pros. I have two years outbound telemarketing experience, and these volunteers were all my equal or better.



Upper left photo is Marcie in the center and Stephanie to the right. On the left is the youth from N.C.


We took a break after after lunch. We had been so busy Marcie didn't know until then her picture made the front page of today's Nonpareil (Council Bluffs) newspaper. You should have been in the room at that moment. It was electric for all these young Democrats. About that time Mary Jean (Omaha), Kelsi (Bay area), and Paula (LA) joined us. In all over 3,000 people were called in person or left messages on machines across Western Iowa from our table. Between calls we made out envelopes for the door to door people. They were handing out letters from Council Bluffs Mayor supporting Edwards.

When it was winding down we talked about the events of the day. We all agreed how no matter who would win the eventual nomination, we would be working just as hard for the party this fall.

The phones were provided by the United Steel Workers.

I don't have enough time to go into more details until late tomorrow. I'm driving a lady to her caucus. I'm staying there to see how it works. I need the experience for Nebraska's first ever caucus next month. Then I'm taking her home.

I'm running late. Please excuse typos etc... More tomorrow.

OS