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Obama's Thank You To His Staff
I'd missed this over the weekend, but it would be remiss not to flag it. The Obama camp posted a pretty unusual vid over the weekend of Obama himself thanking his staff on Friday at campaign headquarters in Chicago...
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That's a terrific video, and well worth the time to watch it.
"We now have no choice but to win it".
June 9, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
. . . and we shall (win it).
June 9, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why do you say it's "unusual?"
June 9, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think it's unusual for Obama at all, but it might be unusual for Presidential candidates in general.
June 9, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it's unusual because it's unusual to get a peek at a candidate giving a pep talk to campaign staff. Also, it's an interesting style for a professional political campaign - more akin to citizen journalism. It's like the campaign went Blair Witch.
June 9, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know, for all the things about Obama that are unique, to me, the most impressive is that he will be the first president with a background as an organizer. And to me, it's the one attribute, more than any other, believe it or not, that will make him a uniquely effective and transformational president.
This comes through so clearly in the video. It's a wonderful thing to behold. Definitely makes me "fired up and ready to go."
June 9, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
obama's organizer background is much better than the green one mccain has used.
June 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hah!
June 9, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's here all week folks!
June 9, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, a Presiden't background gives a very good idea of how they will lead. Look at Teddy Roosevelt- he loved the outdoors, hunting, hiking. The result? He gave us our national park system. Bush was a corportate lackey who never worked a real job in his life. The result? A President who has taken a comibined total of 2.5 years on vacation (so far), tax cuts for corportations and the wealthy, corporations running portions of the war effort in iraq, etc.
I think Obama's experience as a community organizer bodes very well for true reform and a more representative democracy.
June 9, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't watch video at work, sad. Can we have a non-video related post for us, poor, sad disaffected office workers?
Obama/Feingold 2008!
June 9, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
You can take the afternoon off to go watch it.
-- The Management
June 9, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Shhhhh! Don't tell.....
June 9, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's transcribed at The Field.
He gives them permission to take a weekend off, and then they have to get back to work. Because he wants them to? No, because they have to. They have to do it for themselves. The important line is this: "But because we won, we now have no choice. We have to win."
June 9, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Army wifes huh?
Funny coming from McCain who dumped his wife after coming back to pick up a better looking and younger and richer wife.
June 9, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wrong thread, yet an incisive point you make there.
June 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I like the part towards the end where he says, "If we screw this up, these people aren't going to get help."
June 9, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link....great pep talk and we all gotta help Obama win it.
I'll quit my job and work for the Obama campaign full time if he picks Feingold for his VP.
Of course, I plan to do whatever I can, within reason, whoever he picks.
For Obama-Feingold, I'd do everything, within, outside, and around reason.
June 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn inspiring. We have to win. This is a great video guide for executives managing organizations across America.
June 9, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love this. Makes me want to work for him!
And truly, this focus on the community of workers, the focus on a "collective ability to make history" is so incredibly powerful.
And he's right. We have to win. I cannot bear the thought of four more years of the destruction of our economy and our security, which is what the Republicans are offering.
June 9, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
fantastic. I like watching people in more private moments - I think it gives a better sense of who they are. And Obama, as all presidential candidates, will have to become somewhat inscrutable as he shifts more and more to a national/international image. Seeing him in this more intimate setting helps solidify for me that this is the right guy. what a talent.
June 9, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Couldn't help but notice the total absence of campaign schwag
Very business like
June 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really shows his organizer background. He sees himself quite modestly as the spokesperson for a larger organization, the members of which get credit for the achievements he is out front talking about. And challenging people to live up to their ideals -- "You are five months away from changing this country."
Also, how refreshing is it to have a candidate who can admit mistakes! "Your candidate is not perfect... I need to be a better candidate." He's been incredible, but he is still willing to admit there are things he would have done differently. It would be worth it to vote for him just for that one quality...
June 9, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I also like how there's grace for those who may get "burnt out." It shows that Obama is tuned into people's personal reality. Imagine that, a President who can recognize the toll of all the campaigning, extend grace for those struggling physically/emotionally/mentally, and yet give quiet and firm encouragement to carry on.
Tell me this isn't the best man for a time like this in America.
June 9, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honk! Honk! Honk! Honk! :-)
June 9, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am so envious of the people in that room. Imagine how it feels to have accomplished what they have and to know you have helped change the course of history.
The funny thing is I've heard hundreds of pep talks like that in the corporate world, sometimes even more glowing ("you are the best team ever assembled"), but I immediatly turn on the BS-meter and tune out. How different those words sound when the "boss" seems to really mean them, and when the cause is really something that actually matters--not just getting the product out in time. It's just proof that leadership cannot be taught; it's a gift. Thank God he isn't wasting his in corporate management or something like that.
June 9, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's leadership material to me! And I can't wait until the General Election...the day when the Repugnent Party get's their head served on a platter. If McSame wins, they'll be a line-up at all airports to transport us all to Sector 7.
Let's win this one, All!
"Fired up & Ready to go!"
June 9, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink