Local Democrats Prepare For Final Push

Locals gathered at the Organizing For America office where they were given an opportunity to find out more about the upcoming campaign and got more information on helping to volunteer for the Obama campaign.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Local Democrats are still riding that wave set in motion with the visit by President Obama, and they are using that momentum to build upon their base in Mahaska County.

On Sunday afternoon, supporters gathered at the Organizing For America office, on the northeast corner of the square, to share some pizza and to further organize in the Mahaska and Keokuk County areas. The group is project of the Democratic National Committee, being formed after the inauguration of President Obama, and locally, you can find Osky 4 Obama on Facebook where volunteers gather to find out more information.

Former State Representative Eric Palmer (D) was one of several local supporters on hand for the official opening day of the local office. Palmer noted that OFA (Organizing For America) had opened 30 offices in the State this week, giving them a total of 46 offices statewide to run their grassroots campaign. “They can’t keep up with all the nonprofit dollars, Karl Rove money and such. There’s just so much of it. They can’t win the battle of the airwaves, but they can win the game on the ground,” Palmer said noting the large turnout on a Sunday afternoon to the local office.

Palmer believes that the President’s visit to the area energized the local Democrat base of support. “He [Obama] came to an area that may not be his strongest place. He promised to come back in 2007 and he did.”

Palmer said that many of the congressional races are close, “I think those are going to draw a tremendous amount of interest, because those are not a blowout in those four races, they’re all close. When you have two guys like Latham and Boswell who are both seasoned campaigners, who have never lost, your talking about some races.”

Going towards the issues, I asked Palmer what he believes the issues of importance are. “Everybody’s concerned about the economy. When the President walked in the door of the White House, we had two wars going on being paid for on the credit card, not part of the budget. We had a massive budget deficit.” Palmer also said that nearly 800,000 people were losing their jobs every month. “That’s what he walked into. We’re now gaining jobs.”

“Barack Obama had a jobs act Republicans have ignored for a long time now,” Oskaloosa Democratic supporter Rich Vogel added to the conversation over the economy. “I think Barack Obama has superior ideas on the economy. Hopefully he’ll get control of the House and the Senate instead of just filibusters Republicans have used really well to stop everything.”

“On the issues of the economy, civil rights, women’s rights, it’s important we get a Democratically controlled Congress and Senate.”

I asked Vogel about what the difference would be now versus if Obama had been able to secure both Houses of Congress when he first took office. “Filibusters have been used really well,” but concedes that “there wasn’t absolute unity in Democrats. It was annoying. I wanted health care to pass as it was. I think the positive you could take is that, unlike Republicans which walk in lock step on every issue, Democrats have some independent thinkers.”

Vogel says that filibusters use to be used sparingly, “but now, Republicans would filibuster their own stay of execution.”

Vogel further added that on women’s rights he believes this year’s election is so important. Vogel points towards Missouri Representative Todd Akin’s remark to St. Louis television KTVI-TV  “It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.”

Republican’s did denounce the statements made by Akin, with Romney releasing the following quote, “Congressman Akin’s comments on rape are insulting, inexcusable and, frankly, wrong,” Mitt Romney further stated, “Like millions of other Americans, we found them to be offensive.”

Akin has, so far, refused to drop out of the Senate race, even at the request of his fellow Republicans.

Vogel also said that he believes that Bob Vander Plaats will continue his fight over the gay marriage debate, and will look to unseat another State Supreme Court Justice.

“It’s important Barack Obama become President, there’s so much on the line.” Vogel said about his choice for President. He points out that one reason he sees this election as so important is the Supreme Court appointments that could be made within the next four years.

Vogel said that looking at the local level, making sure there are jobs is one of those issues close to home to area residents. “And the policies are in place at the state and federal level to increase the number of jobs.”

With just 70 days until election, expect to see both sides of the fence to continue to develop their grassroots efforts.