PLEASE. . .help Ohio

[eileen from OH]

I've posted this before, so apologies, etc., etc., etc., Actually, I've been posting this all over the bloody internnet. And a huge thank you to those who've responded.

This is about Ohio. Remember Ohio - the state that's the "new" Florida? The state that the 'pubs have GOT to win? The state that every pundit in the whole world says is a MUST WIN - for both parties.

Please consider the following and join us in bombarding the Kerry campaign:

Gore lost OH by 3.5 points after pulling ads, etc. If he'd won Ohio he wouldn't have NEEDED Florida.

OH is even more ripe this time - worst job loss in US, extremely unpopular Rep. gov., energized base.

Bush/Cheney have been here so many times they're gonna start passing buckeyes. 12 paid staff. Volunteer chair in all 88 counties. Bush HQ big and buzzing.

Kerry HQ - 1 volunteer mans OH for For Kerry phone, average callback time - 1 month. NO paid staff, NO county chairs, computers still in boxes.

Kerry is evidently, like Gore, relying on OH Dem Party. The same gang that’s given us a Republican monopoly in ALL the state officesm, in every branch.

Please help us. Bombard Kerry HQ. We need PAID PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN STAFF and a real live OH HQ.

Okay, even those Dems who are not super-excited by Kerry, are still willing to collective asses off. The other candidate supporters (particularly Clark and Dean) are still here and a mighty force. We can HELP, but we need leadership and direction and organization and structure waaaaay beyond what the Ohio Dems can logistically or historically supply.

We'll work with the party, but we won't wait for 'em. And what we can't do is watch Kerry lose Ohio by the sheer stupidity of ignoring it and leaving it to a state party that is at best uneven, at worst, pathetic. Been there, done that.

eileen from OH

Please contact the Kerry organization and urge them to P.A.T.O.N. (Pay Attention To Ohio Now.)

Kerry for President
617-367-1551 (phone)
617.523.2033 (fax)
[e-mail]

[Failure]

1. Done and done.

this is what I sent:


Ohio is where it's at, my man.


Get us a paid professional staff. Your guys have got to know how important Ohio is, and we're willing to help as much as possible, but you'd better get your act together.

You won't win without us.


jason

[eileen from OH]

2. Thanks so much, Jason!

Spread the word to your friends, whether from OH or not! Urge 'em to take a few secs and let the Kerry campaign know that we need HELP in Ohio.

Again, our thanks.

eileen from OH

[Blue-Jay]

3. Man, I've emailed the Kerry people so many times...

They're probably getting sick of hearing from me by now, but it's something they'll just have to get used to. I'll send another one in the morning before work. If he "pulls a Gore" in Ohio, he's sunk.

On a brighter note, I've been able to help register several voters around here that are 100% ABB. I'm keeping in touch with them, taking election week off, and making sure they turn out. Additionally, I know many former * supporters that have had enough. A lot of them aren't particularly thrilled about Kerry, but they'll either show up and vote against * or they'll stay home. Fine with me either way. I think we're going to win this one. I really do.

[eileen from OH]

4. We MUST do lunch. . .

Seems like you know exactly what I'm talking about, Blue-Jay. We're approaching it the same way - doin' what we can, where we can, not because of the Ohio Dem Party, but almost in spite of 'em.

I am not giving up either and I am optomistic too. Not because of anything Kerry has done, and sure as shit not because the OH Dem Party is workin' it, but because Ohio grassroots are sooo energized.

Thanks so much for your comments.

eileen from OH

[Blue-Jay]

8. Lunch? You're on!

Everybody enjoys a nutritious lunch once in a while. Will there be beer?

[eileen from OH]

9. You would ask if there would be BEER?

Forget lunch - we must get a house by the sea together and raise cats!


eileen from OH

[cmd]

5. This is why I am working for ACT

By the time the Kerry campaign gets here, ACT will have all the campaign workers tied up. You can volunteer or work as a paid canvasser. ACT is very well organized and has people on the ground all over the state. My only problem is getting the numbers of state ACT offices to people who want to volunteer. Do good. Join us at ACT!

edited for clarification.

[Joanne98]

6. I'm working for ACT too

I met Lance Miller at a meetup in Zanesville last night. They need more people. The DNC just can't get it together. I'm going to Cambridge tonight. Meetup at Theo's at 7.00. How was the Diebold protest?

[Kolesar]

7. I heard Gore pulled out due to organizational problems (now JK's problem)

I have heard that at Kerry appearances in Ohio, there is nobody there to take names for volunteers, donors, plan future events, etc. A lot of Bush's expenditures have been establishing his field offices and organization in places like Ohio.

An opportunity is going begging here.

[eileen from OH]

10. You have heard CORRECTLY.

This is true (from what I know) and why I am on my crusade. Kerry's Ohio appearances, while well attended, stop cold with his appearance. NO follow-up, NO nuthin'. You can thank the Ohio Dem Party. The Kerry Ohio HQ consists of 1 volunteer who can take up to one month to respond to messages. The Kerry Ohio HQ has this poor, lone, volunteer and computers that are still in boxes compared to Bush's which is buzzimg with activity and volunteers.

Please contact the Kerry campaign and urge them to P.A.T.O.N. (Pay attention to Ohio now.)

eileen from OH

[Kolesar]

11. JK to be in Youngsttown, Cle, and Toledo next week

I was unavailable for the Kerry meetup last night. I hope they planned something there.

[Lady President]

17. That's not entirely true

In general, I completely agree with your messages that we desperately need paid staffers in Ohio. I also agree that we need supplies and some top-down organization.

However, there are about 10 women who take turns volunteering at HQ and they share one computer. They are doing a great job, considering the circumstances. There are tons of things you can be doing locally too. Personally, I have passed out flyers or attended meetings on ten occasions in the past two weeks. (Yes, almost everyday I actively volunteer for Kerry.) Our core group has signed-up several hundred new volunteers in the last couple weeks.

I'm sure it wasn't your intention, but I'm really tired of hearing that we aren't doing enough when that it completely untrue.

[eileen from OH]

18. I was quoting the USA Today article

of 3/31/04 in which a lone volunteer, who didn't want to be identified, said she was the only one answering messages left on the phone.

Also, we have several people in our group who left multiple messages and it took an average of a month to get a callback and even then they weren't able to get much in the way of information, except to be referred back to their county Dem organization.

And, actually, it was my intention - NOT to demean you or your efforts - but to point out that the Kerry operation in Ohio is very, very, very much behind the Republicans and no, THEY (not you, THEY) are not doing enough. Simply the fact that there are TEN of you who have to share one computer in the STATE office for Kerry, says it all, I think. It's egregious that your group, who is doing all this work for free, does not have a bank of computers and a bank of phones. I'm a volunteer and I know and appreciate everything that volunteers can do and I do not doubt for a second that we can get volunteers. Whether or not they will be given the materials, tools, and leadership they need is the REAL question.

No disrespect to you in the slightest and I apologize if it came off that way.

eileen from OH

[Lady President]

19. That makes me mad

Not mad at you, but mad that a volunteer said they were the only one working the phones. I hope that it was a misquote, but unfortunately, I'm almost positive I know who gave the quote. (The type of volunteer who won't pick up a paper clip unless everyone compliments her on how indispensable she is.)

You're absolutely correct about lacking supplies and direction for volunteers. The NYTimes Magazine article this past Sunday is making the situation worse because people are getting more and more frustrated-- and I don't blame them. You're also right about having plenty of volunteers, but a lack of activities. HQ doesn't have a copy machine, so even tabling and canvassing becomes an expensive undertaking.

On the plus side, I've talked to a couple people this weekend who think that there might be a few staffers in Ohio starting in May. Their first assignment is to find an appropriate office.

No, I didn't really think you were in insulting me. Sometimes it just sucks to be Columbus because so people make demands on us that far exceed our resources.

[Kukesa]

12. Done!

I sent an email this morning.

Kukesa

[tjc1204]

13. Done!

I sent an email moments ago and will continue to do so until we see some action from the campaign in Central Ohio. I'd like to help, but have no idea where to go or what to do other than talking to people I know...

[newyawker99]

14. Hi tjc1204!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Kolesar]

15. Try Meetup.com JK is doing meetups in Cle--you can help start in Columbus

You may be one of the founding members, but that is cool.

www.meetup.com

and welcome to the underground!

[Lady President]

16. Central Ohio Info.

I encourage you to join the Columbus for John Kerry yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/columbusforjohnkerry/ for general information about volunteering locally. Also, if you email [e-mail] you can be put on the list to receive a local newsletter.

There are many of us who are working very hard in Central Ohio. We've been tabling at OSU regularly, including yesterday for Earth Day. We will be at the Gallery Hop on May 1, the AIDS Walk on May 2, and there is a rally/organizational meeting on May 5. If you want details about any of these activities, please sign up for the groups I listed or PM me.