Who Is Ruth?

Ruth's List Florida honors the achievements of Ruth Bryan Owen, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the South. A sister organization of EMILY's List, Ruth's List Florida works to elect progressive, pro-choice women to state and local office in Florida.

I attended an all-day planning session to chart Ruth's List course during this critical 2012 election cycle. Finding and supporting progressive women candidates down ballot will help build voter engagement and excitement for the whole Democratic ticket.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good: The Great, actually. President Obama delivered a positive, concrete, hard-hitting State of the Union address. I watched with a group of supporters at a home near UCF. Samuel gave a brilliant overview of OFA's organizing strategy. Dom arrived to lend her enthusiastic support. Who knew that at this point in my life I would apprentice myself to twenty-something year olds. Great move on my part!

After the President's address, we connected to a conference call with David Axelrod, who told us how critical our role was in the President's re-election campaign. My head said another bonding ritual. My heart said it is working; just tell me what to do.

The Bad: The stone-faced stares of the Republican members of Congress during the President's address projected their obstinacy. They are not going to move an inch to serve the American people.

The Ugly: Gov. Chris Christie vows to veto legislation to provide marriage equality. When did New Jersey become a part of the Bible Belt?

Avoid the Lines - Vote By Mail

We will be encouraging Democrats in Florida to Vote by Mail (VBM) in the upcoming elections - local, state and national. State legislation passed last year shortened the early voting period and tightened requirements for voter ID and information changes at the polls. The legislation also wiped out the rolls of people who had previously requested VBM ballots. Now everyone has to request absentee ballots again.

Although I have always liked going to the polls to vote, I am mailing in my absentee ballot today for the January 31st election. I can't just talk the talk; I have to walk the walk.

Up Close and Personal

OFA Neighborhood Team Leader Playbook: Play 1: make hundreds of calls to invite people to the first Orlando Airport Neighborhood Team meeting. Play 2: host the team meeting. Play 3: have 1-on-1's with people who came to the meeting or expressed interest but had conflicts.

The 1-on-1 is part job interview, part bonding ritual. On Friday, I had my first 2 meetings at my local Dunkin' Donuts, which does not have herbal tea. Lake Nona (aka Precinct 437) is a wasteland for coffee shops and informal meeting places so DD gets the nod. The two meetings were very different. The first volunteer had worked extensively in the 2008 campaign, and she was ready to give it her all again. I was inspired by her passion. The second prospective volunteer had had a negative experience with the campaign over the holidays, which had to be overcome. A quick call to Samuel helped. This is just the start. I can see grassroots political organizing taking over my life. That's okay. I'm In!

If You Build It, They Will Come

"If you build it, they will come" to my first OFA Orlando Airport team meeting last night. We are not talking about basic infrastructure or bricks and mortar. I did make about 200 calls to people who support Barack Obama, and a small but extremely passionate group did show up. I can still feel their positive spirit in my apartment. I am glad the little raspberry pastries were a favorite; there were not too many left for me to indulge in. We will skip the pepper goat cheese next time; even I didn't like it.

Now follow up, follow up, follow up. Let's build on that energy to register voters and reach out to the community.Thanks to Joshua, Samuel. Dom and Jessica for showing me how it is done and supporting me in my inaugural meeting. 

Getting in Touch with my Buddha Nature

I spent the last day of 2011 getting in touch with my Buddha nature in preparation for the campaign challenges ahead. I will do my best to stay calm and focused on the most important tasks: registering new voters, encouraging voting by mail, and getting people to the polls. I will do my best to use my positive energy to help people overcome their concerns and doubts. I will do my best to meet people where they are and to find at least one thing we can agree on. Om