In an effort to begin campaigning for the 2008 presidential elections, a representative for Barack Obama held a conference Jan. 30 for democratic supporters in Kern County.
What was supposed to be a small gathering at the Double Tree Hotel in Bakersfield to gain donations and supporters turned into a question and answer speech by supporter Emmett Cash III.
“We are organizing early because we want new people,” said Cash. “We need to teach people how to deal with democracy.”
Cash answered various questions on behalf of Obama to try to gain the support of Bakersfield citizens regarding health policies, the war in Iraq, No Child Left Behind, and even touched on the topic of ethnic diversity.
“We’re hitting the ground running,” said Cash. “We’re not going to wait till November to form our committees.”
Cash stated that there would be an Obama headquarters in Bakersfield. There is also a prospect of there being social committee chairs from here in town.
“The final committee will be the committee used until he (Obama) walks through the doors of the White House,” said Cash.
“There will be Teachers for Obama, Students for Obama, Housewives for Obama, Latinos for Obama, etc.”
This campaign is to be inclusive as opposed to exclusive and will be through coalition building, mentioned Cash. This will be the first Internet campaign and any concerns people would like voiced can be sent to CaliforniansforObama.com.
“California will raise over 40 million dollars for Obama’s campaign,” said Cash.
“So, we want to tell Obama what we want.”