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Yesterday was a big day here in Indiana. For the first time in a really long time, people came out in droves and voted in a primary election. This is the one opportunity we had to really make our votes count. Whether you voted on a Democrat or Republican ballot, whether you voted for Clinton, Obama, McCain, Paul, or someone else - your vote still counted. You can tell yourself “I’m only one vote, what difference does it make?” or “I voted for Ron Paul, he won’t win anyway.” - but the truth is that if all the people that think that would go vote anyway - you just might make a difference.

Here’s my example. I’m just one vote, right? But I’m a very passionate vote. I’m a declared Barack Obama supporter. Everyone around me knows it. I’ve talked about it, and I’ve talked about why I think what I do. And on top of that, I’ve gone out and knocked on doors to talk to people about it. I took a vacation day from work to talk to people about it. And I know, for a fact, that my vote - because I’ve been so passionate about it - has influenced at least a minimum of 4 other people to vote for the candidate that I support. Those are just 4 people that I can specifically name. I have no doubts that I’ve influenced more than that.

I did take yesterday, primary day here, off of work to volunteer for the Obama campaign. I spent the morning out by myself in a neighborhood of big, expensive houses knocking on doors and encouraging people to go vote. I left information for those not at home about where to go vote. I spent the afternoon painting a huge “OBAMA” sign that I helped hold up at a corner by a local high school/polling location and on an overpass over a very busy interstate. And I got a sunburn from all that time spent outside - but I had an absolute blast and enjoyed every second of it. I wouldn’t do a single thing differently, either yesterday or on any of the time I’ve spent on the Obama campaign.

I can’t even say I’m really too disappointed that Obama “lost” Indiana. Hillary was predicted to win it, and since we’re not an “all or nothing” delegate state, the delegates were split almost evenly. So for yesterday - my candidate still came out ahead overall. And what I’m really proud and excited about - is that Hamilton County - my county - voted for Obama at a percentage of 61 to 39. I know that that’s due in no uncertain terms at least partially to passionate voters like myself and the amazing people I’ve worked with over the last few days and weeks. People that have believed in something so much that they are willing to devote their time and energy to doing their absolute best to make sure that it happens. People whose enthusiasm and commitment shows through enough to make the people around them reflect on what exactly it is that makes them care so much, enough to turn a vote or cause someone to visit the polls that originally wouldn’t have.

Why should I be disappointed? I had fun, met some awesome people and built relationships that I already had, and saw evidence that I made a difference. You know why I decided to become actively involved in the Obama campaign? I mean, it’s one thing to say you support a particular candidate - it’s quite another to get so actively involved in their campaign, right? Honestly - it almost came down to “why not?” I decided I thought Obama would make a great next president, so why shouldn’t I work to get him there? If nothing else, I know I’m contributing to history being made, and I’ll never look back on it with regret.

Ok, I’ve had people pestering me for details and the story regarding how I ended up at the Obama rally in Plainfield (and then on TV!) a couple of weeks ago, so here’s the scoop…

Ever since I decided that I was planning to vote for (and support) Barack Obama for president, I’ve really made no secret of that and even taken some steps towards actively being a supporter of his campaign. I’ve gone to meetings about voter registration drives, and even made a small donation to the campaign. And, of course, I’m still in the middle of reading his first book right now as well. So when I first read on the Indianapolis Star website that he was going to be in town, I made it my intention to be there. The closest I’ve come to meeting a president was back when Dan Quayle was vice-president and I met his wife, Marilyn, with a group from my school. So not only would it be cool to make it to hear someone who might be elected president, hearing the candidate that I was supporting really sounded like something I was willing to put some effort into making happen.

Once I found out about Senator Obama planning to visit Indiana, I kept an eye out on the Indy Star site for more details. Then while I was at lunch with some co-workers a few days before he was scheduled to be here, I got an email on my smartphone from Obama’s mailing list. He was going to be in Plainfield, and the email contained a link to click for free tickets. I couldn’t get the link to load on my phone, so a co-worker lent me her iPhone and I signed up on there. I instantly got an email back with my ticket. One of the co-workers I was with signed up as well, but never received the email with a ticket, unfortunately. I got back to work and checked the site again about an hour later - tickets were gone. Apparently they were gone within a half hour. I got SO lucky!

The more and more I hear of/about Obama, the more I like the guy and hope he is elected president, so I was VERY excited that I was going to get to hear him speak in person. That Saturday I made the 45-minute drive to Plainfield and waited outside Plainfield High School in the chilly air (and a bit of rain) with around 2000 other Obama supporters, many sporting Obama buttons and t-shirts. There were even some “Barackerchiefs” (c’mon, people - aren’t we taking this a bit too far??).

Once I made it inside the building and through the metal detector, I was actually there somewhat early. There was a choice of sitting in chairs set up in the gym or on the bleachers. Thinking I’d be up a little higher, I chose the bleachers - but they made us start in the very front row, all the way over in the corner, so I was no higher than anyone sitting in a chair. However, I was right over by the door Obama was going to be walking in through. I was sitting next to a lady probably around my age (I never caught her name) and we soon started observing how one of the Obama staffers (I’m assuming that’s what she was, she might’ve just been a volunteer) was picking people out of the crowd to go up and sit on the stage right behind the podium. There were about 50 chairs set up there, and the staffer lady was selecting a diverse crowd, presumably to show how diverse Obama’s supporters were. She chose the guy right behind us, an older black guy with a union jacket on, several middle-age women (Hillary’s key demographic?), some Plainfield High School students, and some more union workers. Getting tired of seeing her pick all of these people out of the crowd and completely skim over us, I actually asked her if she needed some more younger white women up there. (I’m direct, I know.) Her response - “maybe. I’ll keep you in mind.” Finally - we saw an exchange between her and the lady working up on the stage - there were 3 seats left… down to the wire. Myself, the lady next to me, and another guy sitting beside us gave our most earnest plea (and puppy dog eyes!) and got the response “ok, I have 3 seats left - get up there!” YAY! Success!!

After being told no phone calls or bathroom breaks during the rally, we made a quick bathroom run and some phone calls to family/friends (”I’m going to be on TV!”), we took our seats in the back row directly behind where Senator Obama was speaking. I liked what he had to say (you can view the speech here - and I’m in the back under the E ) and the energy in the place was great. I know everyone thinks he’s a smooth talker, and he really is. But if he’s genuine, I see nothing wrong with that. And my experience of the man is that he IS genuine and really does want to do what he can to create change in our country.

After the speech and question/answer session, Senator Obama made a trip around the outside of the crowd shaking hands and such. He also came over to the people on stage and shook all our hands - very cool. All in all - it was a great experience, one that not everyone gets to have. I felt privileged to be there - not only to hear Obama speak, but also to be among the diverse group of supporters he’s generated here in Indiana.