Best. Day. Ever!
I woke up this morning at 6 to get over to Jerry Brown headquarters in Oakland for a speech as part of his Let's Get California Working Again tour. I brought with me a copy of a biography about the former governor that was written during his first term.
I've been reading it lately and I had it signed by Senator Dick Durbin earlier this week.
When I got to Oakland the place was packed... especially for 7:30 am on a Saturday
It sure was early
But the speakers were fired up and ready to get out that vote
Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced Jerry Brown with a great speech (which I'm uploading)
I didn't get the best pictures of the former governor, because I was mostly recording video. He looks humble in this picture which makes for a good contrast with his often smug opponent.
I was interviewed for a youtube video, not sure what's going on with that. Also, I spoke with Carla Marinucci of the SF Chronicle. I'm pretty sure she's going to quote me in tomorrow's paper.
Brown supporters and staff were motivated and rounding up volunteers to hit the phones.
Look the lady in the background is moving so fast to gotv that she's out of focus
Proud Democrat here
and here
So that was my morning... then I head back home to meet with my friend Ken Klinkowski. We've worked on a political video before, and an animation as well. Today we finished up a political animation we've been working on called The Unregulated Market Monster. I could really use your help sharing this!
I met with Ken for about 20 minutes and we uploaded that video. Then it was off to San Mateo Democratic County Headquarters because I was told a special guest would show up.
And boy was I right..
Again I didn't get the best pictures because I was recording video. But I have all three speeches, Barbara Lee, Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer. You do not want to miss the Boxer video, we laughed, we cried, she's amazing.
Senator Boxer really stressed the importance of our get out the vote efforts. And she didn't have to ask us twice, within a minute phones were off their hooks and activists were all smiles.
This smile belonged to Rini Johar.
"Jerry Brown knows what the hell he's doing. Gavin has guts!"
Rini was on her way to the Sunnyvale temple where 10,000 southeast asians are celebrating Diwali, which is popularly known as the festival of lights. It sounds like they're fired up too with Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer chants. Rini said she delivered Boxer literature yesterday and had to come back to HQ because it was so popular.
Another smile, this one from Carole Dorshkind
April Vargas is running for San Mateo County Supervisor. I asked her why she's a Democrat and she said it's "because of the ideals of the Democratic party; inclusion, equality, empathy, progress and action."
She has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic and passion every time I see her at HQ. She's got my vote. April said that the Senator really "cares about the working people of California. I gave her a small shovel pin to commerate the Devils Slide tunnel project. She and Senator Feinstein secured federal funding for the project. As a result of her efforts we will be driving through the tunnel in 2012!"
But the best smile of the day goes to Samaya the daughter of one of our regular volunteers Michelle.
This was so cute, 3 and 1/2 year old Samaya loves to write. She takes her journal with her wherever she goes. It got a new entry today!
It says Dear Samaya, Best to a Beauty, Barbara Boxer 2010
I gotta finish this up quick it's getting long. As a Giants fan I have to post these pictures.
And this is Betty Pollack, she's been fantastic at showing me the ropes of the local GOTV effort.
"She has always been right there when we met with her in San Francisco and in DC. Boxer always attends to the needs of her constituents and her country. She's a public servant not a politician."
And our tireless and professional campaign manager Alex Doniach
"We don't have an Obama in this election, this is what we need, our candidates motivating the grassroots"
I'll update as I get the videos.
Please Get Out the Vote, you can do so at Barbara Boxer Dot Com Slash GOTV or with Organizing for America or at your local Democratic party headquarters. Leave it all on the road.
1st Update Barbara Lee and Jerry Brown in Oakland 10/30/10