Just Another Foot Soldier

After 25 years in the media, a one-time journalist takes a side. Being a foot soldier inside the Obama Campaign, he witnessed stereotypes blown to bits on the porches and the sidewalks of his own town.

(SALEM, Ore.) - After more than two decades covering the political landscape, including five governors, four presidents, and hundreds of house and senate races, I could finally sit and let the wave hit me.

There were no lights in my eyes, no microphone in hand, no producer in my ear, counting the seconds to the moment the camera would go hot. Instead, a new era in America was about to dawn and I was nothing but a quiet observer.

On this, the most historic of all election nights in my 48-year-old life, I stood shoulder to shoulder with The Throng and just let the high-voltage moment flood my soul.

For just a moment I missed corralling the victor of the night for my live-shot, or chasing the vanquished into the side door of the hotel kitchen. From Atiyeh to Kulongoski from Clinton to Gore I'd done my best to ask the right questions and keep a straight face despite my personal views. But not on this night. For those who had worked getting Obama elected, we were getting our country back.

For several weekends leading up to this historic moment, I had volunteered my time walking door to door with my Obama clipboard and a list of potential undecided voters. The lists compiled by the IT gurus were incredibly accurate and useful in boring down on the last holdouts in the closing weeks of the campaign.

The goal was to find those who were "leaning" one way or another and attempt some small engagement. I would return to headquarters in downtown Salem and another volunteer would enter my data within hours. The Obama machine, even in the estimation of die hard R's, was a thing to behold.

The day that I knew Obama could cinch it was the first Saturday in October where hundreds had shown up to simply walk the neighborhoods or work the phones in downtown Salem. They were a broad collection of old and young, black and white, and sporting everything from cowboy boots to skater shoes.

They had come, not only to support a movement started by a transformational candidate, but to repudiate an administration that in the minds of many was nothing short of criminal.

What gave me incredible confidence was the fact that those assembled in the Obama camp looked nothing like the Endless Glacier of White that greeted the Alaskan governor the night she spoke to the Republican National Convention. I remember thinking as Sarah Palin smacked her lips and stacked her creds against the "Community Organizer" that the sentiment may end up coming back to take a bite.

For the McCain-Palin camp that sported signs that said "service," targeting a man who donated his time as a community organizer proved to be something of a fatal miscalculation. So was failing to tell the truth about the Bridge to Nowhere.

Being a foot soldier inside the Obama Campaign meant having some of my own stereotypes blown to bits on the porches and the sidewalks of my town. The conversations included one with an older white gentleman sporting a Confederate flag in his window who was a staunch supporter of Obama, to the African-American thirty-something who was convinced that McCain was our only hope against the Muslim-extremist horde.

My questions were simple for those who called themselves conservative. "Was it conservative," I asked, "to run a 10 trillion dollar debt, and start a preemptive war with a country that had never been a threat?" That question was usually met with complaints about how Bush had turned out to be "anything but conservative."

As the night of a new American age turned to morning, and the evidence of a mandate rolled across the nation like thunder, I felt somewhat naked, no longer holding to the tools of the superficial trade that is television news. The cables, the wires and my close friend and photographer Gino were comforting in those final years inside the mainstream media.

All I could do the next day was talk with my daughter Katelyn by phone and relive the moment again, as she described sitting alone in her apartment after finishing classes at the University of Oregon. She told me she cried as a new American president gave words to the very thoughts we'd all been having the last 8 years. I had to admit I'd cried myself, not just because I was no longer a part of the election coverage, but because we were on the right side of history.

The second reaction we had was hope. Not that we thought that Obama could fix the shambles the country is in overnight, but in the anticipation that the long night of arrogance, lies and lawlessness might be over.

NOTE: Emmy Award winning journalist Eric Mason, was a network affiliate reporter until 2005, and has been a contributor to The Discovery Network, the LA Times and the Oregonian since 1984. You can reach Eric at: eric@endlesssky.net

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muchtruth November 9, 2008 7:05 pm (Pacific time)

you kicked my butt Henry. I take it in humbleness. You win on this one for sure. It is difficult to share all I learn, and sometimes share it out of frustration. Your words are completely correct. I was thinking earlier today, I am just not eloquent enouogh to share what truth I have learned. I also know, that each person has to find their own truth. I think I am going to take some time off. Please Henry, just know it was from my heart, and my caring for others. I just dont express myself very well I suppose. I began thinking also today, maybe its just God's way of telling me, just take care of your family, prepare, pray, and quit trying to convince others of your beliefs. It is difficult to not speak out. I feel badly for those who buy into the media and presidential rhetoric. In regards to :thinking I know better" well, I dont watch tv, and I research, and I pray for wisdom. Anyway, your words are taken in a good way. In fact, you just confirmed what I thought I should do already. Stop blogging, prepare for what is coming, love my family, and let others find their own paths. I appreciate your comments. It confirmed my thoughts from earlier today. God be with you Henry.

Henry Ruark November 9, 2008 10:08 am (Pacific time)

M-Truth: You wrote:"Hate to break the news." That clearly signals your own arrogant assumption that you have it in hand to inform all the rest of us. See mine re yours under Ramey story for truth-mirrored in reality re that attitude. Yours here forgets to mention political philosophy held by Ron Paul, departing far into fantasy for millions of other Americans, and further distributes myth and fantasy of your own with no source, confirmation or documentation except your word. That is defining character of arrogance, multiplied by your necessity to inform us others laboring without your help. We've made it so far on our own, not too badly, and with new beginning on way despite our lack of words from you.

muchtruth November 9, 2008 6:44 am (Pacific time)

Hate to break the news. A candidate does not become president unless he follows the agenda of the NWO elite bankers etc. Just like all the other presidents. They picked/began grooming obama many many months ago. A fresh, new, intelligent, charming face, to continue their power and greedy agendas. If they thought mccain would have been a better choice for their agenda, they would have rigged the voting machines, and mccain would be president. Just like in 2000 and 2004. The elite give 4-8 years to democrats, then, when people get sick of them, promise new change with a fresh new republican. And, on and on it goes. Oldest trick in the book. THey have made it utterly IMPOSSIBLE, thru laws and such, for a third party candidate, with new, truthful ideas, to gain any momentum during election time. hmmm A Ron Paul win, would have turned the stock market straight up. Why? because the rest of the world, that is not controlled by the western owned corporate media, knows whats going on. Sorry for the novel, but I have one more question. Since obama is half black, half white, why do they call him black? Calling him white would make just as much sense. Beige?, light black? dark white? :-) Just seems like propaganda to me. The foot soldier should go to youtube and search "G Edward Griffin Creature From Jekyll Island A Second Look at the Federal reserve bank". This explains the mess we are in, and also explains how obama has no plans to change it. Wake up people. Turn off your tv

Henry Ruark November 8, 2008 2:59 pm (Pacific time)

Miles: Your arrogance and lack of sensitivities is glaring in your reference to numerology and phrenology, surely as good as anything we ever got from other neocons. Don't bother to look now, friend Miles, but yours from here on are highly suspect on the record you have compiled. We know now from what base you speak and can put precisely the proper degree of basic credibility into whatever you state. Distortion/perversion as displayed are seditious to honest, open, democratic dialog, shared here by many others. As YOUR opinion, on that base, it becomes highly suspect for anything short of paper-waste, perhaps useful youknowhere... IF you will ID self to Editor will be glad to detail points in depth in simpler English you may be able to understand with some effort and perhaps outside help.

Gloria November 8, 2008 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

I know how you feel Eric, I cried too. Surprised myself. I didn't do the door-to-door that you did, and I appreciate what you and so many others got out there and did. Putting the "walk" in the "talk". You helped change our world, thank you!! I know why so many people are worried, but I think we can give the new President the chance to do what he can with this broken mess being handed to him. He's the best hope we've got. Thank goodness for HOPE.

Miles November 7, 2008 5:57 pm (Pacific time)

I certainly would never use numerology or something equal such as phrenology when discusing national or world affairs, but using South Africa as some kind of succes story is absolutely wrong. This country which occupies 7% of the African continents land area use to account for nearly 40% of it's GNP (also Rhodesia/Zimbabwe use to export food and was in the financial black. They are now starving and chaos is the way of this country), South Africa now is on the way to complete economic shutdown. They have the highest crime rate in the world, in fact they hardly even prosecute anymore because the criminal dockets have a backlog of years. This will not happen in this country, for we know of at least 57 million voices out there that will not let it. My prayers are that Obama has a successful Administration, and I will do everything I can to help my country, but he better listen to what the people want, and not the Axlerods and those of their ilk. Those of you who are older, remember how Winnie Mandela was held in such high regard? If you have the time go visit South Africa, but talk to a knowlegable travel agent , or better yet the State Department and appraise yourself of where and where not to go. This is a bad place and getting worse. Like a lot of U.S. cities by the way.

Henry Ruark November 7, 2008 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Complexity rules this I-P situation. Here's excerpt from expert on possible O-and-others peace seeking approach: www.informationclearinghouse.com (Concluding pgh of detailed analysis worth your time.) Democracy and equal rights would not come quickly or easily. Forty years passed between when, on the night before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King cried out that he had been to the mountain top and had seen the promised land and when Barack Obama was elected as president of the United States. (The Bible suggests a similar waiting period in the wilderness for Moses.) Forty-six years passed between the installation of a formal apartheid regime in South Africa and the election of Nelson Mandela as president of a fully democratic and nonracist "rainbow nation". While it may be be hoped that the transformation would be significantly quicker in Israel/Palestine, it is clear that many who already qualify as "senior citizens" will not live to see the promised land. However, if the promised land of a democratic state with equal rights for all is correctly and clearly perceived and persistently and peacefully pursued, there is ample reason for confidence that Israel/Palestine will one day experience the tearful exaltation of a "Mandela Moment" or an "Obama Moment", restoring hope in the moral potential both of a nation and of mankind, and that the Jews, Muslims and Christians who live there will finally reach their promised land." ---------------- John V. Whitbeck, an international lawyer who has advised the Palestinian negotiating team in negotiations with Israel, is author of "The World According to Whitbeck".

Henry Ruark November 7, 2008 1:10 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Eric's last pgh states it strongly and conclusively. See also my comment re Emanual under Zunes story, for perhaps a bit closer view. Never forget, either, there is a highly visible people's mandate now involved sure to create huge pressures on O. and his staff, as well as Congress --if we use it well and wisely. Many complex pressures are involved here, difficult to isolate and understand as yet, but all subject to total of weights-distributed "by the people" --now with some hope of comprehension by those who must act, missing for eight years.

Miles November 7, 2008 12:32 pm (Pacific time)

Vic, Rahm Emmanuel's father lives in Israel and in 1991 Rahm was painting rust undercoating on Israeli tanks. When an opprotunity came up to join with the Clintons, he dropped his dual citizenship. (please keep in mind a jew is always a citizen of Israel). Also Rahm was on the Board of Directors of Fannie May (or Freddie Mac?) when their problems were getting worse and worse. All the above post is public record by the way. Also during this current news conference (right now) he answered a question that "no way will we allow Iran to have nuclear weapons!" Please keep in mind his major speechwriter and major campaign head is David Axlerod, who also has Israeli citizenship. So if Iran calls their bluff, who do you think is calling the shots. Time will tell, but my guess is that Iran will not challenge this incoming administration nor the current one. But the future is going to be very challenging whether it's Russia, China (Taiwan), Pakistan, and on and on. Plus the economy, geesh!

Vic November 7, 2008 12:15 pm (Pacific time)

I might add that Rahm's father was a member of Irgun, the Israeli terrorist group. They killed hundreds of innocent people, usually with bombs placed in public places (like the King David Hotel) including many Brits. No one should be punished or measured by the sins of their parents, but I wonder what Mr Emmanuel's take on his father's history is? Can we really be viewed as any kind of honest broker for peace and stability in the Middle East with a Chief of Staff like him? I seriously doubt it.

Vic November 7, 2008 11:38 am (Pacific time)

And then, he chooses Rahm "Israel comes first" Emmanuel as his Chief of Staff. Will Mr Emmanuel give up his Israeli citizenship to serve America or is this just going to be business as usual? Are we going to work for America's interests or continue to do what is best for Israel? I was glad to see McCain get his ass handed to him, but wonder if Obama is going to be any different.

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