The new campaign headquarters for Presidential candidate Barack Obama had its official opening on Thursday, January 17, at 12 Raymond Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Approximately 100 Supporters gathered at the makeshift office for a “ribbon cutting” ceremony at 7:00pm, and lingered for about an hour and a half afterwards. Obama fans in attendance came in all ages, shapes, colors and sizes and also included six local delegates who will appear on the ballot with Barack in February: Mike Kasper and Frederica Goodman, both of the Town of Poughkeepsie, Joan Morris of the City of Poughkeepsie, Sonia Ayala of Monroe, Fred Cook of Washingtonville, and team leader Judy Aydelott of Katonah were all in attendance.
“America is on the verge of history #1” said Joyce S. Johnson, daughter of former Poughkeepsie alderman Stanley “Cubby” Johnson, and Barack Obama's statewide petition coordinator in the New York Office. Johnson also put together the slate of delegates from New York State who support and stand behind the man who coined the phrase “Fired up and ready to go!”.
Delegates took turns speaking to the room, packed tightly with Obama supporters. “What we do locally is going to affect what happens globally” Frederica Goodman stated to inspired applause. Goodman, along with other volunteers, helped to locate and open the headquarters to serve as a local meeting and planning point for the Obama campaign in the Hudson Valley. With Super Tuesday fast approaching on February 5th, these dedicated individuals came together and organized very quickly. “I've been involved with the community for a lifetime” said Goodman, who was full of praise for the Presidential candidate “He's the face of the future for this country” she stated, “If ever there was a time for people to reach out, this is it”.
Audience members listened with focus, cheered and chanted throughout the proceedings. “I'm a registered Republican” one person yelled out during the ceremony, “So am I” someone else added. Information about upcoming activities, lists of the issues, buttons and bumper stickers were all available. Refreshments were also on hand. “Obama is clearly the right choice for us” added Pete Wassell, Dutchess County Legislator for Dover/Uniondale, who went on the record to say he was officially endorsing the candidate. “He brings inspiration and hope, he's the right choice”
Supporter Paula Williams, daughter of Blueford Jackson, the first black American Legion Commander in the county and head of the Republican Committee for many years was showing her ardent support throughout the evening. She reflected “My father said you will see a black president in your lifetime” and carried much of the rhetoric that was floating throughout the crowd: “If you listen to him (Barack)” she said, “all the others say "I will", but he says "We will" - it's not "I" it's "We"”. Curtiz Simpson, another self-proclaimed Republican in attendance and a DCC Student majoring in Internation Law and Diplomacy added “He has a trustworthiness that the others just don't have - as a student I believe he's going to be able to help education”.
“We're fired up” chanted delegate Judy Aydelott from the stage to a resounding “and ready to go” from the rally anxious crowd. Although traditional chanting and rallying were somewhat tempered throughout the evening, delegates and organizers made sure to inform the attendees about upcoming campaign events taking place, and where their help is needed. Regular walk-in office hours are planned for 5-8pm on weeknights and 12-8pm on weekends. The volunteers will also be meeting Tuesday nights at 8pm at the Muddy Cup on Main Street in Poughkeepsie up until February 5th. Volunteers are needed for door to door campaigning, phone banks, and planned rallies. If Obama wins the primary election, it is certain that these volunteers will have plenty of more work on their table, and most are looking forward to the challenge.
“After he wins the primary, I am sure, yes, he will come to Poughkeepsie” said Johnson when asked if Obama might make an appearance at the local headquarters. Even though Obama is not scheduled to appear in Poughkeepsie any time soon, the supporters are still confident and excited, and willing to put in the extra hours and energy to get their candidate elected “What's so great about this is it's a volunteer effort” explained Johnson, “This is life in fine form”.
