Community Organizing may be Key to this Presidential Election

Living in a battleground state such as Ohio makes presidential elections especially interesting. When George Bush and John Kerry were competing it seemed as though the candidates were visiting our city (Cleveland) every other day. Hollywood celebrities canvassed door-to-door. But this election may be teaching new lessons on the best way to campaign.

Barack Obama may lack executive experience but he's an expert on how to organize a community and inspire the grass roots. Obama canvassers have knocked on our door twice and one can find them in the parking lot at the local super grocery. I was very surprised the other day to come across a giant Obama puppet at a busy intersection. I have never seen anything like it in a presidential race. Standing there waving to rush hour traffic, Obama's giant likeness was imposing, almost frightening. Though the puppet is a little hard to see in the photo below, I think you can still get a sense for the drama.



A giant Barack Obama puppet smiles and waves to rush hour motorists at a busy Cleveland intersection. To the right of the puppet an Obama supporter holds signs urging people to vote early.

The McCain campaigners, meanwhile, have been conspicuously absent.

David Broder, columnist with The Washington Post, recently traveled to the city of Wooster, Ohio, about 60 miles south of Cleveland. It's a picturesque place, the seat of Wayne County and home of the highly regarded College of Wooster. Perhaps not surprising for a college town, a sign at the city's edge declares Wooster to be a nuclear free zone. Surrounded by rich farmland Wooster also fits the stereotype of a rural Republican stronghold. Indeed, George Bush won handily in Wooster and Wayne County in both his presidential runs.

Mr. Broder decided to visit this city in the Republican heartland to observe the campaigning. He stopped by the local headquarters of both candidates. The contrast between the two was stark.

The McCain office was quiet with two people working inside when he arrived. Several folks stopped by to pick up McCain-Palin yard signs.

"None were asked to do anything else for the campaign," Mr. Broder wrote, pointing out some missed opportunities.

But two blocks away he found the Obama headquarters to be a beehive of activity.

"Sixteen people were at their desks, talking on phones or working on computers," he observed. He spoke with two volunteers who had been recruited from the East coast to work on the Obama campaign in Wooster. He was told that the number of Obama volunteers is growing at least 100 per week.

Is this a sign of a coming election victory for Senator Obama? Perhaps. In any event, there is a grass roots election spirit that is very much alive and flourishing in Ohio.