< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Getting out the vote - now

Posted by Scott Helman, Political Reporter October 29, 2008 01:50 PM

obraleigh102908.jpg
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Today he was Barack the organizer.

Speaking to 28,000 under bright sunshine in downtown Raleigh, Barack Obama got in his usual digs on John McCain's economic plans, trying hard once again to persuade voters that McCain would merely continue on the course President Bush has charted. But Obama's primary goal today seemed to be organizational: to push supporters to vote early, which they can do up until Saturday; and to make sure they understand North Carolina's unique ballot rules, which require voters to make two separate marks if they want to vote for a Democratic president and for a straight-party ticket in down-ballot races.

Obama took the time to explain the latter in detail, which underscored how important his campaign believes it is. In terms of early voting, Obama asked the crowd who had already done it, and thousands of hands went up. For those that hadn't yet voted, Obama encouraged them to join a campaign-organized march right after the rally to early voting locations.

"It's a beautiful day. Don't wait," he said.

It was another example of how, to Obama's campaign, a crowd is never just a crowd. It is a concrete opportunity.

"Everybody I know has voted early," said Grace Bradley, a 54-year-old government economist from Durham, adding that she firmly believes North Carolina will go blue for the first time in years. "I'm 100 percent confident and have faith that the state is flipped."

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
» Back to Front Page
.

It would be wonderful to see this Nation have the highest turnout of voters ever. Go Vote! Our vote is our voice. Vote early to know you have already given your voice.

Posted by Michael October 29, 08 02:03 PM
.

Palin didn't comprehend what a community organizer did and mocked an Ivy League educated man serving poor people with education, voter registration and jobs programs. Now she will feel the fire of a great community organizer at work.

Posted by diescumdie October 29, 08 11:37 PM
.

i want to vote early in virginia...my search leads nothing that i want 2 wade thru...
so how do i do it???.....

Posted by dan October 30, 08 01:07 AM
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the Obama administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and other national political happenings.
see all Globe blogs

News from the Washington Bureau

Declassification of secret documents to be delayed

WASHINGTON - President Obama will maintain a lid of secrecy on millions of pages of military and intelligence documents that were scheduled to be declassified by the end of the year, according to administration officials. (Globe Staff, 12:25 a.m.)

Tax break on profits again in jeopardy

An effort in Congress to eliminate a generous tax break for hedge fund managers, private-equity specialists, and venture capitalists, which could be taken up next week in the House Ways and Means Committee, is being met with resistance by opponents who say the move would weaken the economy. (Globe Staff, 11/26/09)

In N.E. governors’ races, GOP sees a chance to build on gains

Invigorated by state house victories earlier this month in Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans are turning their attention to governorships in New England, where they believe the retirement of four incumbents and a competitive race in Massachusetts has created wide-open opportunities. (Globe Correspondent, 11/25/09)

Senators voice optimism on public option

WASHINGTON - Buoyed by their weekend victory on a vote beginning the health care debate, several Senate Democrats expressed optimism yesterday they could find a way to keep a government-run insurance plan in the sweeping bill. (Globe Staff, 11/23/09)

Health overhaul narrowly advances

The Senate narrowly overcame the first of two critical hurdles to passing sweeping health care legislation last night, mustering the minimum of 60 votes required to begin debate on the bill and opening a volatile floor fight likely to last weeks. (Globe Staff 11/22/09)

Latinos, blacks take harder hit amid recession

Latinos and African-Americans in Massachusetts and across the country are facing high unemployment rates that could spiral to levels not seen in decades as the jobless economic recovery drags on, analysts and urban community advocates say. (Globe Staff, 11/21/09)

Some lawmakers push back Catholic church on health care bill

Representative Louise Slaughter has a consistent record advocating abortion rights. So the New York Democrat was stunned recently to receive, for the first time, a letter from a Catholic diocese in western New York, demanding that she explain her vote this month against a health care amendment prohibiting insurance companies from paying for abortions. (Globe Staff, 11/21/09)

Support wanes for curbs on credit-card interest rates

Efforts in Congress to cap credit-card interest rates are faltering because of opposition from Democrats and a lack of specific support from the White House, despite growing consumer outrage over a rush by banks to impose rates as high as 30 percent. (Globe Staff, 11/19/09)

Obama domestic agenda largely a one-party effort

Despite early pleas for bipartisanship, President Obama is forging ahead with his domestic agenda with a largely single-party strategy, unable to corral more than a handful of Republicans on a wide range of major legislation before Congress. (Globe Staff, 11/17/09)

Beirut attack victims’ families face new hurdle

On Veterans Day, Christine Devlin stood in the cold in Westwood for the unveiling of a new memorial to local soldiers lost overseas, including her son Michael, one of the 241 servicemen killed in the bombing of the US Marine barracks in Lebanon in 1983. (Globe Staff, 11/14/09)
archives