It's coming down to the wire. We have only a few more weeks to make history and to restore hope to an America bogged down in an economic crisis, the Iraq Quagmire, and an energy crisis. A few hours or a few days of your time could be critical in determining the course of the next decade. We must elect Barack Obama and make gains in the Senate and House to really effect change. Here are things you can do, either by phone at home or by taking a road trip.

First off, on Daily Kos there is an effort to do virtual phone banks to voters in North Carolina on behalf of the Obama campaign. Virtual phone banking can be done by anyone in any place from their own home and was an extremely successful strategy in winning Congressional races in 2006. This strategy basically brings Americans together one-on-one by phone. To join in, please email kim (dot) yaman (at) gmail (dot) com and ask how. You can also read about it here. North Carolina is THE Swing State this year, with Obama tied with McCain, a close Senate race (Dole and Hagan tied), a close governor's race and one or two close House races. We MUST get out the vote in North Carolina.

Next, I want to urge my readers to take some time and help our friends in North Carolina elect Kay Hagen to the US Senate right from your home. This is the kind of project that won big in 2006. Let's repeat the same success in 2008. Winning North Carolina is important in four ways. This race has been tied for some time now, but Kay Hagen is pulling ahead. She has the momentum but she could use our help.

Another way you can help is virtual phone banking for Jill Derby for Congress in Nevada: (from an email)

You call the voter and read the easy-to-follow phone script, record the responses of the voter and click ENTER. The information is automatically recorded in the
campaign’s database. If you reach an answering machine or voice mail, you can leave a short message for the voter. Make as many calls as you can and if you finish them all, you can sign up for more.

Questions? Want to organize your friends as a team to call for Jill? Call Derby for Congress Field Director Julie Wedge at 775-770-2008.

From a fellow member of IND, I get the following information on bus trips EVERY WEEKEND to Pennsylvania to do voter outreach. These trips have been VERY successful. From Tom:

Please join me Saturday, October 11th for a day of canvassing Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley. This is a pivotal region of a swing state. It is not an exaggeration to say that the next president will be decided in places like Easton, Allentown, and Bethlehem, PA.

All the work you've been doing for the past several months has really paid off. The much improved poll numbers in Pennsylvania are proof positive that a well-run field operation, a bit of shoe leather, and personal contacts really do work. Make no mistake about it: all your hard work has been noticed and recognized by very important people.

John McCain, for instance.

In case you haven't heard, they're coming after us. I mean RIGHT after us. John McCain and Sarah Palin are landing in the Lehigh Valley this Wednesday, October 8th for a widely publicized appearance at Lehigh University. And many political analysts believe that his campaign pulled out of Michigan last week to focus greater resources on Pennsylvania. On ABC's This Week this morning, Gerald Seib of the Wall Street Journal said, "I think what he's done is swap Michigan for Pennsylvania."

This means more negative TV advertising, more resources on the ground and, inevitably, a tightening in the polls. I have every confidence that we can weather the storm and prevail, but we cannot let up. We next "Get on the Bus" this Saturday, October 11th. You may RSVP by signing up on the Obama website…

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7h5h …or by simply replying to this e-mail.

We depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal (South Terminal, 8th Ave. btwn 40th & 41st St.), Saturday mornings, aboard Trans-Bridge Bus Lines. Please arrive at the gate no later than 8:15 am to guarantee yourself a seat. The bus to Easton departs from Gate 4. Please arrive early to purchase your ticket on the South Terminal main floor and make your way downstairs to the gate. Bus tickets are $37.95 round trip. The ride is about 1 hour 20 minutes. Buses return at 4:05 and 6:10 pm.

For those who would like to make a weekend of it, supporter housing is available for all dates and during the week, as well. Just let me know in your reply, and we'll hook you up with a local Obama supporter willing to offer up their home to you and our cause.

Thank you to everyone for your time and commitment. Please RSVP using the above link, or by simply replying to this e-mail, so I can provide a headcount to Obama's team in the Lehigh Valley.

Thank you again. We when win this election, it will be because of people like you.

Very best wishes,

Tom Predhome
NYVolunteers@gmail.com
(646) 736-6177

P.S. Can't make it this Saturday? Below is a complete schedule with links to the event postings on the Obama website. We "Get on the Bus every Saturday, now through Election Day.

October 11th
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7h5h

October 18th
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7hmx

October 25th
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7hhm

November 1st
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs75td

Finally, from Marjorie I get the following ways of getting involved in Ohio and New Hampshire as well as a reminder that if you want to work in a swing state on election day, get your absentee ballot in now: (by email)

MORE OBAMA VOLUNTEERING

You'll need to apply for an Absentee Ballot if you want to work the battleground states.
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/download/voting/absentee.pdf

OHIO: Contact Rosie Goldensohn, Out of State Director. Long-term volunteers should call her directly at 614-743-4365. rgoldensohn@ohioforchange.com or volunteerohio@ohioforchange.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Contact Mike Cassel, Out of State Coordinator in the Manchester office. Tel: 603-668-2008 or email: mcassel_at_nhforchange.com

If you are a Woman for Obama traveling to NH and need housing, please contact Ann Greer by email The_Greers_at_mns.com Her mobile number is 603 860-2092.

Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, Nevada and North Carolina are critical swing states, so all of these efforts are important. Do whatever you can, even if it's just for a day or only a couple of hours of phone banking.

Get out there and win this thing.