Hi from the Holiday Inn in North Coralville. It's odd to blog an organizational meeting for a campaign but there's old media here so I think the idea is to rally the forces rather than reveal the Secret Plan.
They're showing part of the Obamannouncement (the name is so fun to play with ) and folks are still trickling in. Was 50 or so when the lights went down. A lot of folks signing the commitment cards, and some folks just having a look-see. (I'm officially uncimmitted, folks). Paul Tewes, state director, is here. A couple electeds in addition to Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn (who is committed).
Tewes starts as TV arrives. My cell phone just landed on my keyboard. I hope I don't ever need my F9 key because it's toast.
8888888 test
Tewes contrasts this campaign to his work on Gore campaign. Says Harkin steak fry was a big part of Obama's decision. "Obama brings out the best in people." More like 75 folks now. "Through his message and background, Obama can transcend the negativity."
The three words:
We won't tell the locals what to do, there aren't bad ideas (I like hearing that; hope things stay that way next January...) "we have to change how we capaign: less authoritarian, more inclusion."
"The way we campaign is a reflection on the man we're campaigning for." People want to be on this side of history with Obama. Tewes is a low key speaker and ends with a casual "how'd I do?"
F9 key fixed. Simeon Talley the local staff dude is intro-ing Wilburn and the other electeds. So I'll name the names: Larry Meyers, Sullivan, Slockett. That's Larry Myers, not Dick Myers, but Dick Myers is reportedly on board.
Wilburn takes the opportunity to announce his own re-elect bid for this fall.
Ross leads with education and teach to the test rather than learning. Brings up the Walter Reed scandal. The faces here are partly familiar, partly new.
"We are at risk for losing the US as a source of inspiration, and we too as Americans need that source of inspiration." Nice transition there, Ross (the old speech geek in me comes out.)
Wilburn notes that his Illinois relatives speak highly of Obama's work in state legislature. I didn't note it before but it was said in the introduction and the out of towners may not know that Wilburn is African American; Iowa City's first black mayor. Ross does not mention this subtext in his talk. He's also a bike-riding kind of guy and was early early for Dean in `03 and he doesn't mention those either.
"We can disagree about who we are supporting, but don't be disagreeable." He's talking and thinking waaay ahead to that realignment moment.
Hallie Schneider, regional field director, is making the pitch to sign folks up and talking constituency groups and (as Tewes joins in and gradually takes the lead) caucus logistics. The old media is packing up; the mayor must be the lead. Tewes asks "who's never been to a caucus" and a third of the hands go up. Some Caucus 101 talk. The "how to persuade people" discussion is best summed up as Put It In Your Own Words.
TV extracts the mayor for a standup. Fellow blogger Nick Johnson is here but no laptop so I'm scoopin' him. But he mentions blogs so here's the love. He's sounding like a supporter (he was Kucinich last time).
Blogger is being goofy. One person really really hates the "rock star" label; thinks it detracts from Obama's substance. Tewes finesses this well; I think rock stars can have a lot of substance.
Question on whether Wayne Ford and Ako have endorsed; "they have not publicly endorsed."
March 27, 6 PM, they're meeting again. Folks are headed out. The diehards are still talking as of 8:13. I'll sign off for now, update if the schmoozing proves interesting.
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