Dukakis on Obama and the grassroots

Hey Mike, I'm helping Obama in Texas, we don't have a primary until March. I think if you were involved in Obama's campaign, you'd see a lot more grass roots effort is going on than you think.

Great speech!! got my vote!

I agree completely and we have four precinct captains here in our little town just east of Cedar Rapids. I am working my butt off, and SO appreciate all of the doorknockers and phone banking being done by volunteers from elsewhere! C'mon Governor, join Kitty! Lots of us voted for you because we believed you were the voice of reason and judgement, the face of courage and wisdom, the presence of integrity. Senator Obama is all those things and will face down the well-funded in government.

I don't know what Dukakis is talking about. Obama is opening offices in places like Alabama, Alaska, and Kansas. David Yepsen wrote a column a few weeks ago in which he singled out Obama as someone who understands how to organize in the difficult Iowa Caucuses. I have personally noted that when I see video of his speeches in Iowa, he unfailingly asks people in the crowd to fill out supporter cards. Every single time! Like I said, I just don't know what Dukakis is talking about.

Gov. Dukakis: please help us work to put Barack in the White House!

(I had the privilege of voting for you when you ran for President/you are also the best governor we ever had in Massachusetts).

I'm not sure what Gov. Dukakis is talking about -- like Kitty, I've donated to the Obama campaign -- but unlike here, I've received numerous email and telephone requests to go to NH for the campaign, to participate in state organizing here in Vermont, to attend rallies, to sign up others as supporters... not sure why I'm getting these requests and she isn't. (And even though Vermont also has a late primary, there is a very active mobilization going on in state.)

I've also heard from friends who are on the spot that when Obama speaks in Iowa, he is very specific about caucus turnout and focused on getting people to sign cards for caucusing, and that staff/volunteers are really good at getting caucus cards from those attending.

I also think that the Obama web site does a far better job than any other campaign in offering interactive/ social networking opportunities to participate in the campaign.

That said, any assistance Dukakis wants to give to Obama campaign to mobilize the grassroots would be more than welcome!

I volunteered for Dukakis' 1988 campaign but never heard back from them. Gret organizing.

Dukakis acknowledges that there is an awful lot of grassroots enthusiasm for Obama. And sure, busing in enthusiastic, if inexperienced, volunteers from out of state is certainly better than nothing. Certainly he has to do well in NH and SC etc first.

But my experience, especially from 2004 and congressional campaigns since, is that there is often a lot of inefficiency and confusion involved in bringing in well-intentioned, but green volunteers to canvas unfamiliar turf. A charismatic, inspiring candidate and a favorable media wave can do a lot for a campaign. But for Obama to get the turnout he needs in later primary states -- and hopefully the general election -- his campaign needs to train volunteers and staff now who will know the places they are organizing and canvassing; who can actually reach and motivate Obama-leaning voters. Ideally, these volunteers and staff will be from the places they are canvassing. That is what Bush's campaign did successfully in 2004 and is one of the things that Kerry's campaign failed to do.