Obama campaign office opens in Greencastle
By: Case Nafziger
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News
On Wednesdsay, Senator Barack Obama's Campaign for Change opened an office in Greencastle. As Indiana's 31st such office, it will serve as a gathering place for people in the Putnam County area who support Obama for president.
For the first time since 1964, Indiana may potentially swing its electoral votes across party lines to endorse a Democratic candidate.
"This office is being started in response to the grassroots support that we keep seeing around the state," said Jonathan Swain, Indiana's Campaign for Change communications director.
The office, located at 10 W. Washington St., across from the courthouse, serves several purposes, including voter registration and providing a venue for campaign-related meetings. It also is a place where members of the Greencastle community can sign up to volunteer for the campaign in the upcoming months.
"We provide support to those Hoosiers who are working to gain support for Barack Obama," Swain said.
The office is not solely for Barack Obama, but is also the central organizing point for local Democrats running for office.
Some of those candidates spoke at Wednesday's opening, noting that students should take interest in local elections because the decisions of local officials affect the entire county, including the University.
"This is not only a campaign for change at the national level. It's a campaign for change in Indianapolis and in Putnam County," said Dave Bohmer, chair of the Putnam County Democratic Party.
Bohmer said the Nov. 4 election is the best opportunity Putnam County has had in many years to change local politics by electing more Democrats into office.
Students are invited to go to the office and learn more about volunteer opportunities. Jobs include making phone calls and knocking on doors to increase awareness, processing data and registering citizens to vote.
The office will be ready to start operations in the middle of next week.
"[The office] is a big step in the right direction to bring both America and Putnam County the change we need," said David Dietz, president of the College Democrats at DePauw and campaign intern.
Hoosier Democrats are excited about the prospects of this year's election.
"Indiana has the chance to go blue," Bohmer said. "As an Ohio State fan, that's hard for me to say, but it feels good when put in this context."
For the first time since 1964, Indiana may potentially swing its electoral votes across party lines to endorse a Democratic candidate.
"This office is being started in response to the grassroots support that we keep seeing around the state," said Jonathan Swain, Indiana's Campaign for Change communications director.
The office, located at 10 W. Washington St., across from the courthouse, serves several purposes, including voter registration and providing a venue for campaign-related meetings. It also is a place where members of the Greencastle community can sign up to volunteer for the campaign in the upcoming months.
"We provide support to those Hoosiers who are working to gain support for Barack Obama," Swain said.
The office is not solely for Barack Obama, but is also the central organizing point for local Democrats running for office.
Some of those candidates spoke at Wednesday's opening, noting that students should take interest in local elections because the decisions of local officials affect the entire county, including the University.
"This is not only a campaign for change at the national level. It's a campaign for change in Indianapolis and in Putnam County," said Dave Bohmer, chair of the Putnam County Democratic Party.
Bohmer said the Nov. 4 election is the best opportunity Putnam County has had in many years to change local politics by electing more Democrats into office.
Students are invited to go to the office and learn more about volunteer opportunities. Jobs include making phone calls and knocking on doors to increase awareness, processing data and registering citizens to vote.
The office will be ready to start operations in the middle of next week.
"[The office] is a big step in the right direction to bring both America and Putnam County the change we need," said David Dietz, president of the College Democrats at DePauw and campaign intern.
Hoosier Democrats are excited about the prospects of this year's election.
"Indiana has the chance to go blue," Bohmer said. "As an Ohio State fan, that's hard for me to say, but it feels good when put in this context."
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