Spirits are high in the Obama camp
This is in regard to David Broder's Oct. 25 column, "Spirits begin to sag in the Obama-for-president camp."
My two sisters and I, all members of the 55-plus age bracket, have been actively engaged with Sen. Obama's campaign since before he even announced on Feb. 10. With all due respect, it dumbfounds us that Broder was able to find any of his supporters (in Chicago or anywhere else), especially "in their private moments," with flagging spirits.
Broder was correct in writing, "There is, in fact, time for Obama to rally," but totally wrong with, "It's just hard for his people to believe it."
His "people" are members of an organized, involved, passionate grassroots movement with the broadest multicultural base of Democrats, independents, Republicans, young and old, than possibly ever seen in history. His "people" raised $2.1 million online in about 80 hours. His "people" turn out in the thousands at rallies around the country. His "people" could care less what the pollsters, pundits and mainstream media have to say about his candidacy because their representatives report on "politics as usual" and Obama represents the politics of "change."
Broder would do well to study Obama's message, because it has little to do with "winning" elections and everything to do with the American people reclaiming their citizenship and making the United States whole again with an honest leader of strong character, good judgment and total commitment to the common good of the people, not the special interests and big businesses currently in charge (like the owners of media). This is a mission that his "people" will not easily abandon.
My family and a small band of Chicago suburbanites have already logged close to 180 hours of canvassing in Iowa; we have had house parties, manned phone banks and raised funds. There are thousands more like us. The Obama-for-president camp is "fired up and ready to go" and Broder's article could not have been less representative of our support of and faith in his candidacy.
Donna Niesman
Wheaton