My Fellowship with the Obama Campaign

I am now two days into my fellowship with the Barack Obama Campaign. Specifically, the initiative in which I'm involved is called the 'Obama Organizing Fellows' program. The program is comprised of roughly 3,600 activists from across the country who will spend the next six weeks of their lives working in 22 states, from New Mexico to Virginia. The program's objectives multi-faceted and inclue coordinating voter registration drives; recruit, coordinate, and retain volunteers for the Obama Campaign; do voter outreach; and organize Obama events and rallies, to name just a few.

In New Mexico, there are 41 fellows. After completing our three-day initial training in Albuquerque, we'll be deployed with our small groups (roughly 8-10 people) to you region. I will, happily, be stationed throughout the program, in my hometown of Las Cruces. This, I feel, is optimal for several reasons. First and foremost, I have a good knowledge of the political dynamic within Las Cruces that will allow me to help my fellow small group members come to understand and mobilize in Las Cruces. Also, I will be a benefit to the Obama Campaign because I have established relationships with leaders within Las Cruces and can begin to utilize them immediately to support the Obama Campaign. Being in Las Cruces is the best place for me to help the campaign as an Organizing Fellow, I believe.

Secondly, I am excited to be stationed in Las Cruces because it offers a chance to see and spend quality time with so many wonderful friends! I am staying with Tim and Thea Hand, who are, basically, second parents and true family to me. I envision hours of fierce competition over the ping-pong and scrabble board, as well as with Theo's son, Ryan, on the tennis court. There are so many other good friends and acquaintances with whom I'll have the pleasure of enjoying the NM summer in the coming weeks that it makes me giddy.

Supporting a movement to change the world by working for the Obama Campaign and spending time with some of the people about whom I care most in the world- I cannot imagine a better summer.

I will keep you posted on my experience with the Obama Organizing Fellows program, as they transpire. For now, I'll close with this- go, Tiger!

Cheerio,

--Daniel