Obama Supporters Prepare for November Run
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| Lee Harrison of the Berkshire Brigades talks to rallygoers on Tuesday. Photos by Lyndsay DeBord |
"Berkshire County is Obama County," said Lee Harrison, chairman of Berkshire Brigades, the local Democratic committee, who added it was time to put a Democrat into the White House. "Boy, do we need that."
Invited speakers Mayor James M. Ruberto, North Adams Mayor John Barrett III and state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, were unable to attend the political function, held at the Brigades' 1 Fenn St. headquarters. Barrett was at a North Adams City Council meeting that night and Ruberto missed the event because he wasn't feeling well, said Mary K. O'Brien, co-coordinator for the Obama for America campaign in Berkshire County.
Planners said state representatives were tied up in Boston. O'Brien, former registrar of deeds in Central Berkshire, conveyed the support of the elected officials, saying they were "all on board."
Despite the missing speakers, organizers remained upbeat and confident. And the lack of an assembly room didn't appear to bother anyone, as about 45 supporters, filling the building's first-floor hallway, clapped and cheered during the rally. The crowd also laughed at the obligatory Republican jokes.
Like Harrison, O'Brien also spoke about wanting a change in government and described how she had been depressed over some of the people who had been voted into office. She went on to say the Berkshire County Obama campaign is "gung-ho to get him elected." A previous Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter, the longtime Democratic activist believes that the former presidential candidate acted gracefully in her support of Obama.
To get their man into office, the Democratic organization is relying on volunteers. "It's people who count," said O'Brien.
When supporters showed up at Berkshire Brigades' headquarters, they were sent directly to the volunteer sign up sheets. Available duties included making phone calls, writing postcards and canvassing areas locally and in swing states. Later, when asked how many people were interested in volunteering, nearly every hand went up.
.JPG) Obama supporters sign up at the Berkshire Brigades' headquarters in Pittsfield on Tuesday. |
Mable Hamilton, 76, of Pittsfield, attended the rally with her daughter Valerie Hamilton. "She's seen a lot of presidents," said Valerie. The senior Hamilton believes Obama has the ability to negotiate across party lines and to appeal to both young and older voters. "He's a unifier," said Mable.
Valerie Hamilton, who also supports the Illinois senator, spoke about the issue on her mind - stopping youth-related violence. She believes that Obama, with the younger generation behind him, can make a change.
Two of the state's Democratic congressmen, Sen. John Kerry and Rep. John W. Olver, sent representatives. Debra Guachione, Olver's campaign manager, relayed the congressman's endorsement for Obama.
She spoke about the congressman's like-minded stance on Iraq. Olver voted against going into Iraq, and he is now committed to getting the troops home safe, according to Guachione. The regional director for the Kerry campaign was unable to comment.
Also attending the rally was U.S. House candidate Robert Feuer, who challenging Olver for the 1st Massachusetts seat. He described the Berkshires area as "a beautiful district" and outlined ideas for his campaign, among which was a plan to produce more food in the Berkshires.
The rally also saw many people who voiced their agreement with Obama's Iraq policy.
"I want the troops back home," said Jean-Claude Attoumo of Pittsfield. He believes this will be possible, in part, because the senator has the support of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Originally from the Ivory Coast in West Africa, Attoumo says he wasn't swayed by the senator's current tour of the Middle East. "I already had my mind set."
Other supporters, like Michael F. Wilcox, co-coordinator for the Obama for America campaign in Berkshire County, are excited about Obama'’s Middle East tour. "[It’s] making the McCain people squirm," he said.
Many critics argue that Obama does not have enough experience to fill the presidential seat. However, Wilcox, naturally, disagrees.
"He's brilliant," said Wilcox when asked about the Democratic candidate's experience. He described how the support of officials, like Kerry, made him confident he is backing the right presidential contender. (The state's senior senator, Edward M. Kennedy, has also endorsed Obama, as did Gov. Deval Patrick.)
Still, electing Obama as president is not enough for Berkshire Brigades. "He's going to need a Democratic Congress and Senate," said Harrison. For this effort, the organization is once again counting on volunteers.
The chairman said volunteers of all ages are welcomed. Though he also admitted, "kids have more energy." In the fall, he expects to see more volunteers, particularly from the college community, "anxious to help" because of the upcoming election.
New Ashfords residents Mary Bosakowski and Tom Plunkett, both of whom had volunteered in the New Hampshire primary for Obama, came to the rally together. They were looking forward to volunteering more time with the Obama campaign. "Barack Obama seemed like the most promising candidate that I've seen probably ever," said Plunkett.
"This is once in a lifetime," added Bosakowski, who described feeling excited and proud about getting involved.
After the talk, many Obama supporters stayed to discuss political issues and to coordinate volunteer efforts.
People who want to volunteer can contact campaign coordinator for Berkshire Brigades Marge Cohan at 413-822-6218 or e-mail Victory2008@BerkshireBrigades.org.
Berkshire Brigades held its "Democratic Campaign Kick Off" in Pittsfield in January. The organization has a listing of summer events on its Web site. More events are posted on Wilcox's site, along with his blogs. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean will headline an upcoming fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund
