Local Democrats part of 2010 statewide election kick-off

There were two things that Jim Bird feared, as he got ready for the local 2010 Democratic kick-off efforts, June 5. His first fear was that nobody would show up and his second fear was that the keynote speaker wouldn’t make it.

It turned out he had nothing to worry about on the first account, as more than 30 volunteers showed up at the local headquarters eager to get to work. On the second account, he wasn’t as lucky. House Majority Whip Jay Goyal was sick and couldn’t make it after all.

Appearing unfazed after getting the phone call minutes before the 10 a.m. meeting was to begin, Bird took center stage and filled in for Goyal. He began by addressing what he considered the accomplishments of the Democratic Party and Governor Ted Strickland, including education and healthcare reform, a balanced budget, new energy laws, the GI Bill, NATO, Peace Corps, unemployment compensation, women’s suffrage amendment, Civil Rights, Social Security, and a jobs stimulus bill.

He recalled how he got involved in politics. It was at the Wayne County Fair one year that he was approached by a volunteer working the Democratic fair booth who engaged him in conversation. “He invited me to one of his meetings and here I am,” he said. Emphasizing the personal approach, he asked, “How many of you came today because I called you?”

Bird noted that the majority of registered voters in Ohio are “independents,” and that provides a golden opportunity for canvassers. “What’s at stake is absolutely everything,” he said. “If we want Obama to accomplish everything we elected him to do, it’s going to take more than the two years he’s been in. It’s going to take the next two years and the next four. If Ohio goes red, it’s going to get really dicey.”

In order to bring about the “change” Obama promised, every state and local election is crucial, he said, and “organization” is vital. “We’re organized,” he said. “It’s all about getting people from the beginning to help and building on that momentum.”

“If we leave the Independents alone, they will split 50/50. This campaign is simple. It’s about going door to door and saying I’m a Democrat and this is what I believe. These people are persuadable.”

Following Bird’s remarks, Sherrod Brown delivered a short video message and emphasized this “election is about choices,” that will affect things like “budgets” and “jobs. We need your help,” he said.

Next, attendees had the opportunity to join instructional meetings on telephone and door-to-door campaigning.

Rich and Sue Corfman, of Orrville, attended the meeting and Corfman said he was “encouraged by the enthusiasm” he saw at the meeting.

Linda Houston has been engaging in door-to-door campaigning for more than 30 years for the Democratic Party. “I’m hopeful,” she said. “I see people here that I’ve never seen before, and that’s always good news.” Noting that it could be a “rough year” for Democrats, she added, “If we all keep at it, it will work.”

The meeting was part of a stateside effort to “pull together resources to help every candidate,” said Seth Bringman, communications director for the Ohio Democratic Party. “Every race on the ballot this November is important. The list is long and it’s because there are so many important races that Democratic candidates and campaigns are all working together to achieve victory.”

More than 150 canvasses and campaign kick-offs were held throughout the state. These meetings were held in conjunction with Organizing for America’s national Day of Action, aimed to “connect with voters who went to the polls for the first time in 2008,” said Bringman.