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Obama Camp Hopes To Organize Thousands Of "Unity" Events Nationwide
It's a bit odd that this passed unnoticed, but Obama's national field director, Jon Carson, blasted out an email to supporters last night letting them know that the campaign is trying to organize some 3,000 so-called "unity events" across the country on Saturday.
The idea, it seems, is to capitalize on the attention that Friday's event with Hillary and Obama in Unity, New Hampshire, will get -- and to get non-Obama supporters to pair up with Obama supporters at house parties and the like.
It's impossible to know what kind of success this will have, but it's the sort of under-the-table organizing the Obama team did to great and surprising effect during the primaries. Details here.
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Pity there's such short notice. Ghengis and California Paige have been trying to organise a TPMaholics house party event for some time, with little cooperation from the Obama campaign.
June 25, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
So "non-Obama supporters" are supposed to "pair up" with Obama supporters at Saturday night "unity events"?
Sorry, but I'm sure there's already a lot of this going on! Probably waaaaaaaaaaaay more than 3,000!
/snark
June 25, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey my girlfriend is a Clinton supporter and we'll be holding a unity event at our house Saturday night ;)
June 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone else invited?
June 25, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sadly no... Her sister is a big Clinton supporter too but that'd never fly ;)
June 25, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make sure you drive your essential point home.;)
June 25, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
BAHAHAHA!!!
June 25, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, hammer that single point to a forceful and fluid conclusion.
June 25, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
This seems so strange to me. Has any major politician ever done anything quite like it?
June 25, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
This may in fact be the first political campaign to throw mixers, yeah. I picture a bunch of tuxedo-clad millionaires and steel mill workers standing on opposite sides of a high school gymnasium and glancing skeptically at each other while "Forever Young" plays.
June 25, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even worse. It's a group of steel mill workers, millionaires, and women standing across a gymnasium from a bunch of college kids, law professors, and enivornmentalists.
Even the groups themselves don't necessarily mix well where they stand... ;)
June 25, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
No...wasn't there something Kerry supporters were doing...trying to get chicks to get guys to vote Kerry?
June 25, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and here it is:
http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/12879
June 25, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is unnecessary. Making a big deal out of the whole "unity" thing just reminds people of the conventional wisdom that there is a unity problem, even though almost all of Hillary's supporters are now Obama supporters. It is trying to fix a problem that isn't really a problem.
I think it is a bit silly.
June 25, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. There's no indication that there is a problem. In fact, several polls have shown that Dems are much more excited about their candidate than Repubs. The only rift exists in the upper echelons of the Clinton machine. They can have their rift, for all I care. They had their time. Step aside.
June 25, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for reminding us. It is easy to forget.
June 25, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
May be, but a quick check of the Obama Web site shows that a lot of these events have been organized for Saturday night. I certainly don't think they can hurt.
June 25, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
And you would be wrong. Clinton supporters are not supporting Obama in big numbers. Obama supporters have no interest in unity.
The real upshot from the "mixers" is that they will be a huge failure. Poor attendance. Disagreements between supporters. It will exacerbate the tension and further alienate Clinton supporters.
That is why I support having the mixers. It will convince Clinton supporters once and for all not to support Obama.
June 25, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant analysis! The facts you raise to support your position are reminiscent of the good old days back in February. It's great to see that kind of grounded analysis brought into the debate. Thank you for your worthwhile comment, and the sparks this has alighted in my mind. I am much more of a whole human being, having read this comment.
June 25, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. I can sense that by your user name.
June 25, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton supporters are not supporting Obama in big numbers.
False.
Obama supporters have no interest in unity.
False.
Otherwise, great comment.
June 25, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Prove it.
June 25, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
By "great comment" you mean this of course:
"The real upshot from the "mixers" is that they will be a huge failure. Poor attendance. Disagreements between supporters. It will exacerbate the tension and further alienate Clinton supporters."
June 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
June 7, 2008
Hillary's Remarks in Washington, DC
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/?id=7903
June 25, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unlike Obamites, Clinton supporters are independent thinkers. Just because she give marching orders does not mean we will follow....unlike Obamites.
June 25, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your candidate will lose.
Your tears are delicious.
June 26, 2008 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
According to the LATimes/Bloomberg poll:
85% of Dems support Obama and 6% support McCain.
That compares to the 82% of Republicans who support McCain and 7% of whom support Obama.
So, your claim that "Clinton supporters are not supporting Obama in big numbers" is false.
Also, the point of these mixers is to get together grassroots activists from the two campaigns so they can discuss how to elect a Democrat in November. The point of the mixers is not to convert delusional dead-ender psychopaths such as yourself.
June 25, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that is serious analysis. Thank you.
(I'm sure you could tell my snark from above)
June 25, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
That face says smug and arrogant more than snark.
June 25, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The sensible Clinton supporters will not endure events with the smug arrogant Obamites.
It will be an Obamite circlejerk.
June 25, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
fogu2, who hurt you? I just want to give you a big unity hug.
June 25, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're missing the point of the mixers. The point is not to try to get Obama supporters to convert lunatics like fugu and gotalife. It's assumed that everyone who attends will already be interested in unity and the goal of electing Obama.
The point is to provide an opportunity for activists from both campaigns to meet with one another with the main intent of integrating Clinton activists into the Obama campaign. The events are not intended for Jane Q. Voter or Bob Q. Internet-Crazy. These events are for activists who want to get involved in electing a Democratic president.
June 25, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
That might be the case if they were just "get together and celebrate our unity" events, but I believe the point is to help get those who supported other candidates in the primaries involved in the general election campaign through neighbor-to-neighbor contact. They're local events in people's houses, not huge ballroom parties. Contrary to the sometimes over-the-top rhetoric we get online, most Clinton supporters are solid Democrats who are eager to keep working to elect a Democratic president, but as we all know, it can be tough to move into an existing organization. Events like this are intended to help people get over the hump, rather than just assuming they'll show up at a campaign office of their own accord.
June 25, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is exactly right. I am working with a team of volunteers to organize these events and the idea is and always has been to invite people other than confirmed Obama supporters to them.
Unite for Change has been publicized for quite some time.
June 25, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
"under the table" in what way?
June 25, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Poor word choice.
I think he means "off the radar."
June 25, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's some unity kink, right there!
June 25, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Typical Ben Smithan snark adopted by Greg.
June 25, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
None of the polls show the party is that divided. The Clintons are just a distraction and they will be the entire campaign. The only reason they're offering any support is to pay down their debt. Obama should have just moved on instead sucking up to them. They don't have that much to offer.
June 25, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI, Greg, this isn't a last-minute thing; I got the campaign email seeking hosts for the parties (with the "Unity" theme) more than a week ago. It may be "under the radar" in that they didn't notify the press until they knew it was going to be a success, but the effort hasn't been at all secret.
June 25, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah they a lot of event going on in michigan but, none by my house
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/gop-senator-uses-obama-in-new-tv-ad/
June 25, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to one on Saturday. I really don't think they are going to be harping on the "unity" theme so much - it's just an occasion for lots of house parties where supporters can get together and plan campaign work for this summer and fall, and also to give undecided friends and family a chance to get to know Obama and the issues. The one I am attending will have one of the Obama Organizing Fellows speaking and answering questions, and also a short DVD. But I haven't heard any calls to invite disgruntled Hillary supporters to come along and start the healing.
It doesn't strike me as some big, emotional kumbaya event - just a continuation of the grassroots efforts that have been so successful thus far.
June 25, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. The "unity" aspect is all just about giving sane Clinton activists an opportunity to introduce themselves and get involved.
June 25, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, the email did say "The goal of Unite for Change is to bring together people who supported all of the Democratic candidates, as well as Independents and even some Republicans." I agree the point is not to convert disgruntled Hillary supporters, but it definitely is to bring in non-disgruntled ones and help them get involved.
June 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Baristaberry,
Stay alert. Watch out for Grouching PUMA.
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/D/A/2/vote-for-spite.jpg
June 25, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks liam. I'll keep my eyes open, but I think most of the catty PUMAS are content to stay home and scratch around in the litter box.
June 25, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is a "non-disgruntled" supporter merely a gruntled supporter?
June 25, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just so! Most of the Clinton supporters I know are pretty gruntled, actually.
June 25, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
This has been planned for a while. This is the kick off for the 4th of July weekend Registration Drive.
I'm hosting a Unite for Change event. I signed up two weeks ago and have had a great deal of interest in my event. Our main focus will at this event will be voters registration.
June 25, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus Greg, they're called Unite for Change and they've been in the works for weeks. I'm pretty sure volunteer events with similar titles have been going on for months.
It's part of the mass mobilization effort for voter registration etc.
Not everything has to play into your continuing Hillary fettish. Get a freaking grip.
June 25, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're doing this in Venice with my neighbors. We're expecting 50-60 to attend - a mix of Obama supporters, former Hillary supporters, local pols and even a couple of Hillary delegates from California's 53AD.
Believe me, this won't be a grievance session for the Hillaryis44 crowd. This is all about outreach and community building. We're expecting committed Democrats to come together and work their asses off between now and November.
June 25, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of our local events in Fairfax, VA was strongly promoted at a Dems meeting last night by the chair, a major Hillary supporter and Hillary delegate.
June 25, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what should be an important question: have people who were on Hillary's mailing list but not Barack's getting this notice/invitation?
In other words, has Clinton given her mailing list to Barack? And are her small contributors (and large donors) going to be solicited by Clinton or Barack to re-direct their small donations.
June 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink