Gradually I witnessed the doubt and hesitation of folks in my counties shifting to excitement and enthusiasm. Obama yard signs popped up around the region and bumper stickers adorned Ford pickups as well as Priuses. People from all walks of life—farmers, union members, teachers, students, homemakers, retirees and others—joined in the voter contact activities, and these volunteers enrolled family members and friends into volunteering themselves. Many of the volunteers gave two to three hours of their time every week for months. Others gave 10, 20, 30 hours on a weekly basis. And these were people with jobs, families and other responsibilities. Most had never worked in a political campaign, yet here they were, week after week, giving generously of themselves and their resources to a movement that was obviously more to them than just a presidential campaign.
After a measured start in southern Ohio, things seemed to break our way in October. Governor Ted Strickland, a native of the area, toured our region in support of Senator Obama, as did Senator Hillary Clinton. And finally, our extraordinary candidate spoke at two well-attended rallies nearby—one in Portsmouth and one in Chillicothe. Sarah Palin’s star rose and, 
just as abruptly, fell. The U.S. economy was in turmoil. McCain stuttered and stumbled. And it seemed to me that, barring further unforeseen events, Obama was going to win and win big. But I was brought down to earth by the candidate himself on a mid-October conference call with staff members. Obama reminded us that the campaign had been confident of success before, only to see it slip away. “For all of you who are feeling giddy or cocky or think this is all set,” he said, “I have just two words for you: New Hampshire.”
GOTV
Some pundits and politicians have questioned President-elect Obama’s ability to lead our nation, wondering if he has sufficient experience to do so. Having been a part of his campaign for president, I have no doubt that he will be a powerful, effective and inspiring leader. For a demonstration of his capacity to lead, you have to look no further than the planning, preparation for and execution of the campaign’s get-out-the-vote (GOTV) strategy.
There are many reasons for our GOTV success in southern Ohio, and two of them were my deputy field organizers—Shonnie Lavender and Carolyn Baehr. My wife Shonnie came to Ohio to visit and to work for three long weekends before arriving for the entire final week of the campaign. Carolyn Baehr, devoted family friend, came to volunteer for a week, got hired by the Ohio Democratic Party in early October and was with me for the duration. Carolyn’s support during the weeks leading up to the election and Shonnie’s during the week before November 4, proved invaluable. Each brought their unique ability to connect with the volunteers, to organize and to deal with whatever issues arose.
The first phase of GOTV was comprised of the closing attempts to persuade unconvinced voters to vote for 
Barack. For five days prior to Election Day, dozens of volunteers called hundreds of undecided voters and knocked on their doors, frequently with considerable success. It was obvious that many, though not all, of the undecideds were moving our way.
The Monday before the election (Phase 2), volunteers put door hangers on the door of every Obama supporter who had not voted early, urging them to be sure to vote on Tuesday, November 4. Each door hanger had the address of the polling place for that voter along with information about Senators Obama and Biden.
But Election Day, Phase 3, was the pièce de résistance. In every county in Ohio, including the two counties I worked in, there were a number of staging locations run by volunteer leaders from which campaign activities took place.
Canvassers fanned out across their precincts to remind Obama supporters to get to the polls. Phone bankers called supporters in areas too rural to canvass. Volunteers drove to each precinct in the county surveying polling locations and reporting any problems (only minor) and any delays in voting (up to one hour waits at some precincts due to large turnout). Other supporters brought food and drink for their teams. And reports went up the chain of command every three to four hours so that leaders in Columbus and Chicago could see how things were proceeding and if adjustments were needed. 
Toward the end of the day, we had reached our supporter-contact goals in three of our four staging locations but were lagging at one. So we shifted some canvassers to that location and ultimately we were on target there as well. We had done everything the campaign had asked us to do . . . and more.
Victory is at hand!
After the polls closed at 7:30 P.M., I drove from my command center in northern Adams County to West Union, the site of the staging location where Shonnie had set up shop, and we began making the rounds of election night gatherings. As states began to go blue early that evening, it was apparent that Barack Obama was going to be the next president of the United States. Shortly after 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, Ohio was called for Obama. Cheers went up. Congratulations were given. And heartfelt goodbyes were shared. I was elated at our win. I was relieved the campaign was finally over. And I was totally exhausted.
The outcome I’d envisioned had come to pass: a win in Ohio (including Barack doing better in my counties than Kerry had done in 2004), an overwhelming victory in the presidential race and the election of six to seven additional Democratic Senators along with 20 to 30 additional Democratic House members. 
Tears fell as Carolyn, Shonnie and I watched Obama’s victory speech together late Tuesday night.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington—It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations’ apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
On Wednesday Carolyn, Shonnie and I drove to a statewide staff victory party in Columbus. Free drinks and pizza! Woohoo! Plus Shonnie got to demonstrate her latest dance moves. It was good to spend some time celebrating and hanging out with my fellow field organizers, but for me the scene was a bit frenzied and the music too loud to talk. Truth be known, I was ready for some solitude.
Leaving southern Ohio on Thursday to head for home was a bittersweet experience for me. My joy to be home 
ward bound was tempered by a sense of sadness at leaving the volunteers I’d connected with and the community we created together.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
