Postcards from the Swing States: Arizona
Added October 31st, 2008
This is Brian O'Neill reporting from the newest battleground state, Arizona. Five weeks ago the Fab Four from SEIU 521 left San Jose and Fresno to Tucson Arizona. We meet up with 4 others from Long Term Health Care SEIU members located in Los Angles. When we got here McCain was ahead by 8 to 10 points over Obama. Now Obama is within 2 to 4 points. We precinct walked in 100 degree weather for nearly 6 hours a day in the beginning. I had the wrong shoes and wasn't really prepare as you can see by my blisters in the picture. I will never ever complain about precinct walking in California's moderate weather and level streets. There were days we were wondering what the heck we were doing in Tucson, but little by little more and more knocks were Obama supporters, some so excited to see someone precinct walking for Obama. We got the thumbs up from supporters and offers of water. Week after week, it seem that Obama was gaining strength in McCain's home state! My biggest encouragement came from a very young soldier who is a big supporter of Obama and wanted an absentee ballot. He said he already went through a few tours of Iraq and didn't expect to go back. He said a lot soldiers support Obama.
Last week I got a call from People for the American Way, a progressive group. They wanted ex-Republicans and current republicans that didn't usually vote democratic to do an add for Obama. The producer of the ad is Errol Morris, he did the Fog of War movie. They flew in people all over America to Burbank and do an ad called People in the Middle for Obama. I met my first Chicken Whisper from West Virginia. She was great and wanted to work on Senator Byrd to endorse Obama. Below are the two videos that I'm in and one that is just me.
Middle America for Obama (I'm towards the end)
Not a hawk or a dove, or Soft on foreign policy
You now this election I wanted to do something for Obama that I never done in my life. I was inspired from the beginning when Obama announced in Springfield Illinois in 17 degree below zero weather. I just don't get discouraged by anyone who is for McCain because the Obama supporters are so enthusiastic. I never seem this before for a long time. As I said in the ad, when Obama gets elected there will be Real Change! Getting Obama elected is step one, step two is getting Employee Free Choice Act passed and start organizing this country!
In solidarity,
Brian O'Neill, COPE Chair SEIU 521
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Former Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa disappears. Presumed to be dead, his body has never been found.