Arrived back in London early this morning. It's grey and cold. But the warmth and the aura of Tuesday's stunning election result shine through as the newspapers publish pages and pages of Obama stories with front pages given over to record the historic victory.
Even The Sun headline reads: THE EARTH MOVED. We all feel moved by the last week's campaigning - the expectations are high, the enthusiasm and relief were tangible, and there are big lessons for us Brits in motivating volunteers and voters.
This is the final post for Virginia Real. Well, perhaps until we get closer to Inauguration Day on 20 January 2009. Bring on President Obama!
PS and just in case you missed the headlines, check this out: http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html
Thursday 6 November 2008
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Where were you when...
Barack Obama was elected President? None of us will forget this moment wherever we were when we heard the news.
After the partying last night in the Dogwood Tavern, it feels calm today. Strange even, as we pack up, say goodbyes and head off in different directions.
A great adventure and many thanks to my fellow Brits: Denise, Lisa, Siobhan and Liz, and to our hosts in Falls Church, Virginia - Bill and Virginia. Happy birthday Virginia - what a day to celebrate!
After the partying last night in the Dogwood Tavern, it feels calm today. Strange even, as we pack up, say goodbyes and head off in different directions.
A great adventure and many thanks to my fellow Brits: Denise, Lisa, Siobhan and Liz, and to our hosts in Falls Church, Virginia - Bill and Virginia. Happy birthday Virginia - what a day to celebrate!
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Yes we can, yes we did
Oh what a night! Who would have believed that Barack Obama would be able to deliver his victory address at midnight.
A new dawn and a new era has arrived for the UNITED States of America.
Welcome President Obama. The man has inspired a country, now he can change the world.
It has been a privilege to share the last few days with the people of northern Virginia. A special thanks to Virginia and Bill for all their hospitality.
We look forward to seeing them and other new friends in London. Bring on the election in the UK in 2010...
A new dawn and a new era has arrived for the UNITED States of America.
Welcome President Obama. The man has inspired a country, now he can change the world.
It has been a privilege to share the last few days with the people of northern Virginia. A special thanks to Virginia and Bill for all their hospitality.
We look forward to seeing them and other new friends in London. Bring on the election in the UK in 2010...
We have seen the future
Obama has galvanised political activism. There were hundreds and hundreds of young people volunteering in northern Virginia, even though many were too young to vote.
Imagine one 17 year old African American volunteer, who has been working for Obama since June in northern Virginia.
He says he wanted to be President of the USA at the age of three. His name is Jeff Thomson - don't forget that name!
Imagine one 17 year old African American volunteer, who has been working for Obama since June in northern Virginia.
He says he wanted to be President of the USA at the age of three. His name is Jeff Thomson - don't forget that name!
The polls close and the waiting starts
Polling closed here in Virginia almost an hour ago and it's tense as we wait for the results to come through.
It's been an amazing day. The enthusiasm and excitement for Obama has been evident everywhere. Voters queuing to vote from 4am this morning! Almost half of people voting by 10am! Hoots and cheering on the streets!
All despite rain in northern Virginia this afternoon. But not enough to stop people going to the polls en masse.
Today we've been out knocking on doors, leafleting and encouraging drivers to get out and vote.
The number and diversity of volunteers out for Obama has been astounding, as has the organisation of the Democrats on the ground in northern Virginia. All inspired by Barack Obama.
It feels like May 1997 when Tony Blair was elected in the UK.
The world waits...
It's been an amazing day. The enthusiasm and excitement for Obama has been evident everywhere. Voters queuing to vote from 4am this morning! Almost half of people voting by 10am! Hoots and cheering on the streets!
All despite rain in northern Virginia this afternoon. But not enough to stop people going to the polls en masse.
Today we've been out knocking on doors, leafleting and encouraging drivers to get out and vote.
The number and diversity of volunteers out for Obama has been astounding, as has the organisation of the Democrats on the ground in northern Virginia. All inspired by Barack Obama.
It feels like May 1997 when Tony Blair was elected in the UK.
The world waits...
Voting early
The excitement is mounting. As this story shows, people were lining up at 4am (!) to vote this morning. Imagine that happening in Britain!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/04/virginia-barack-obama-election-day
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/04/virginia-barack-obama-election-day
Monday 3 November 2008
Change we need
and change is coming, with polls closing at 7pm this evening in Virginia.
We are just back from five hours in Monassas where Barack Obama held the final rally of his two year campaign to be the next President of the USA.
Almost 100,000 people waited patiently for Obama, entertained by a music loop of Jackie Wilson, U2 and Springsteen, very familiar to Labour party conferences. The diverse crowd clearly have huge expectations of Barack Obama.
He didn't disappoint. Obama reminded people why McCain shouldn't be allowed to continue George Bush's failed polices and said how he would revive the economy, tax people earning over $250,000 more, and improve healthcare and education.
He ended with a story from a visit to South Carolina which enabled him to say how one voice can change a room and that can in turn change a city, state, nation and the world. Let's hope people do go out and vote and that this man is the next President tomorrow.
We all left 'fired up and ready to go'.
We are just back from five hours in Monassas where Barack Obama held the final rally of his two year campaign to be the next President of the USA.
Almost 100,000 people waited patiently for Obama, entertained by a music loop of Jackie Wilson, U2 and Springsteen, very familiar to Labour party conferences. The diverse crowd clearly have huge expectations of Barack Obama.
He didn't disappoint. Obama reminded people why McCain shouldn't be allowed to continue George Bush's failed polices and said how he would revive the economy, tax people earning over $250,000 more, and improve healthcare and education.
He ended with a story from a visit to South Carolina which enabled him to say how one voice can change a room and that can in turn change a city, state, nation and the world. Let's hope people do go out and vote and that this man is the next President tomorrow.
We all left 'fired up and ready to go'.
FDR inspires
Walking round the phenomenal Franklin D Roosevelt memorial in Washington is a reminder of how much the USA needs an Obama win tomorrow.
FDR tackled unemployment, housing, hunger, war and most of all fear. The only thing stopping the realisation of our hopes tomorrow is fear today, as FDR said.
FDR tackled unemployment, housing, hunger, war and most of all fear. The only thing stopping the realisation of our hopes tomorrow is fear today, as FDR said.
Sunday 2 November 2008
Walking miles for Obama
Canvassing in northern Virginia isn't quite like inner London. Most houses have long drives and are spread out along very long streets. So a car is crucial to get a few more promises and virtually every household has been knocked up several times already.
Two more days to go and now it's down to handing out door-hangers and getting out the vote.
PS just heard that Barack is doing his last rally in Manassas, about half an hour's drive away in northern Virginia, tomorrow evening. Will report back.
Two more days to go and now it's down to handing out door-hangers and getting out the vote.
PS just heard that Barack is doing his last rally in Manassas, about half an hour's drive away in northern Virginia, tomorrow evening. Will report back.
One day more
This isn't new but it's particularly timely:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/les-misbarack.html
Enjoy!
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/les-misbarack.html
Enjoy!
Vote for change!
Five Brits sitting in a restaurant in Washington. Like the tourists we are, we ask the waitress to take a photo of us all.
Instead of saying 'cheese', she tells us to say 'vote for change'! We are all smiling, of course!
Instead of saying 'cheese', she tells us to say 'vote for change'! We are all smiling, of course!
Watch out world
If anyone wonders why we Brits are concerned about the Presidential election, watch Beyond the Palin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P6hvH1NgyI
Saturday 1 November 2008
All out for Obama
Hundreds of volunteers were out on the streets of Fairfax today, the last Saturday of the campaign.
Knocking on doors for Obama was clearly the place to be as the excitement about change takes a grip. The sunshine really helped get folks out.
Waiting three hours in line also hasn't deterred many people from voting early.
And if T-shirt sales in Washington are anything to go by, then the vendors near the White House were reporting sell outs for Obama while it looks like they will be left with lots of McCain stock.
A few of those Obama T-shirts will be heading to London soon!
Knocking on doors for Obama was clearly the place to be as the excitement about change takes a grip. The sunshine really helped get folks out.
Waiting three hours in line also hasn't deterred many people from voting early.
And if T-shirt sales in Washington are anything to go by, then the vendors near the White House were reporting sell outs for Obama while it looks like they will be left with lots of McCain stock.
A few of those Obama T-shirts will be heading to London soon!
Friday 31 October 2008
Halloween on the stump
Five Brits arrived in Falls Church, Fairfax, northern Virginia, today to campaign for Barack Obama.
It has been a beautiful late summer day, reminiscent of May 1997. Clear blue sky, warm sunshine - perfect for change.
Our hosts - Virginia and Bill - have been wonderful, making us at home instantly.
We picked up a car from Rent-a-Wreck. And then it was down to the Falls Church campaign centre. We were sent out canvassing, picking up support for Obama where voters haven't been contacted already.
We faced competition from the trick or treaters. But it meant that lots of people were at home and answered the door. Sometimes it was difficult to know who was in costume or just going about their normal business.
Almost every other house has a sign outside for their favoured candidate - Obama is winning by at least three to one where we are campaigning. Of course, this is northern Virginia.
It really does feel like this is a seminal election - huge change is on the way.
Four days to go...
It has been a beautiful late summer day, reminiscent of May 1997. Clear blue sky, warm sunshine - perfect for change.
Our hosts - Virginia and Bill - have been wonderful, making us at home instantly.
We picked up a car from Rent-a-Wreck. And then it was down to the Falls Church campaign centre. We were sent out canvassing, picking up support for Obama where voters haven't been contacted already.
We faced competition from the trick or treaters. But it meant that lots of people were at home and answered the door. Sometimes it was difficult to know who was in costume or just going about their normal business.
Almost every other house has a sign outside for their favoured candidate - Obama is winning by at least three to one where we are campaigning. Of course, this is northern Virginia.
It really does feel like this is a seminal election - huge change is on the way.
Four days to go...
Thursday 30 October 2008
Standing up in northern Virginia
The Republicans think that northern Virignia is not 'real Virginia'. Check out this clip:
http://dcist.com/2008/10/20/will_the_real_virginia_please_stand.php
So that's why this blog is called 'Virginia Real'!
We Brits will be hitting Fairfax (northern Virginia for those of you who don't know) for Halloween ie very soon. Lots of tales from the streets and doorsteps to follow...
http://dcist.com/2008/10/20/will_the_real_virginia_please_stand.php
So that's why this blog is called 'Virginia Real'!
We Brits will be hitting Fairfax (northern Virginia for those of you who don't know) for Halloween ie very soon. Lots of tales from the streets and doorsteps to follow...
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Every vote will count
Make sure you don't wake up on 5 November and regret that you didn't vote. Don't be like Laura Sewell:
http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=B3UwsHlnvqs7GzpbpvahuzEzNTU3Ng
We'll be rounding up voters in Virginia shortly!
http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=B3UwsHlnvqs7GzpbpvahuzEzNTU3Ng
We'll be rounding up voters in Virginia shortly!
Sunday 26 October 2008
The real Virginia?
Getting packed to fly out to northern Virginia later this week. The excitement is mounting, Barack is keeping calm in the face of growing Republican nonsense and election day is just over a week away.
We're looking forward to meeting our host in Fairfax, who is called - guess what - Virginia! The local campaign organiser is Esther Oh.
We arrive on Halloween. It should be great fun getting out the vote for Obama. Hope the canvassers don't get too many tricks.
We're looking forward to meeting our host in Fairfax, who is called - guess what - Virginia! The local campaign organiser is Esther Oh.
We arrive on Halloween. It should be great fun getting out the vote for Obama. Hope the canvassers don't get too many tricks.
More laughs on the campaign trail
Just to get us all in the mood as we prepare to fly to Virginia, here's the latest endorsement of the McCain/Palin ticket:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/oliverburkemanblog/2008/oct/24/uselections2008-sarahpalin
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/oliverburkemanblog/2008/oct/24/uselections2008-sarahpalin
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Barack reveals his true identity
If you want to know why we Brits are heading across the ocean to support change in the USA, take a look at this snippet courtesy of the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7675927.stm
Even John McCain thought it was good!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7675927.stm
Even John McCain thought it was good!
Monday 20 October 2008
Welcome to Virginia Real
I am a Brit heading to Virginia to help Barack Obama be elected President of the USA on 4 November 2008. I will be reporting from the frontline for the last five days of the campaign.
I wanted to call this blog 'The Virginian' but that wasn't available. And one of the state nicknames, 'Mother of Presidents' has also been taken.
So I've plumped for 'Virginia Real'. If you read the extract from wikipedia below, you will understand why I've chosen this name. Enjoy!
Virginia was given the title, "Dominion", by King Charles II of England at the time of The Restoration, because it had remained loyal to the crown during the English Civil War, and the present moniker, "Old Dominion" is a reference to that title. The other nickname, "Mother of Presidents," is also historic, as eight Virginians have served as President of the United States, including four of the first five: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson. Additionally, Virginian Sam Houston served as president of the Republic of Texas.
The seal was designed in 1776, and the flag was first used in the 1830s, both were made official in 1930. The majority of the symbols were made official in the late 20th century, though the state motto and seal have been official since Virginia declared its independence. The Virginia reel is among the square dances classified as the state dance. Virginia currently has no state song. In 1940, Virginia made "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" the state song, but it was retired in 1997 and reclassified as the state song emeritus. Various alternatives, including a version of "Oh Shenandoah," have met with resistance in the Virginia House of Delegates
I wanted to call this blog 'The Virginian' but that wasn't available. And one of the state nicknames, 'Mother of Presidents' has also been taken.
So I've plumped for 'Virginia Real'. If you read the extract from wikipedia below, you will understand why I've chosen this name. Enjoy!
Virginia was given the title, "Dominion", by King Charles II of England at the time of The Restoration, because it had remained loyal to the crown during the English Civil War, and the present moniker, "Old Dominion" is a reference to that title. The other nickname, "Mother of Presidents," is also historic, as eight Virginians have served as President of the United States, including four of the first five: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson. Additionally, Virginian Sam Houston served as president of the Republic of Texas.
The seal was designed in 1776, and the flag was first used in the 1830s, both were made official in 1930. The majority of the symbols were made official in the late 20th century, though the state motto and seal have been official since Virginia declared its independence. The Virginia reel is among the square dances classified as the state dance. Virginia currently has no state song. In 1940, Virginia made "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" the state song, but it was retired in 1997 and reclassified as the state song emeritus. Various alternatives, including a version of "Oh Shenandoah," have met with resistance in the Virginia House of Delegates
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