Welcome to Life@Lane,
A Student Moderated Discussion.
All communications on this site are subject to the LCC Student Code of Conduct and the Information Technology Appropriate Use Policy Any views or opinions presented in these blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the college.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
Since Tuesday, November 4th, I’ve been on Barack Obama time. It seems as if everything as of late happens at a curiously accelerated and rate. Blissful memories of helping change the world makes week-old memories appear as if the Election, the DNC, and even the Primary just happened “a couple days ago.” (I trust I’m not alone in expressing my election night jubilation - “yes, we did” and “President-elect Barack Obama” are, after all, pretty cool things to say!)
Though our victory was an historic one for Oregon and these United States, my native state of California, unfortunately, passed Prop 8 to “save the sanctity of marriage.” A civil rights step backwards, supporters of equality from all over the country - gay and straight - will come together tomorrow (Saturday), November 15 at 10:30 a.m. to remind California that discrimination is deplorable.
Visit www.JoinTheImpact.com and participate with fellow progressives at Eugene’s City Hall — 99 W 10th Ave (10:30 a.m.) to show our solidarity , support for same-sex partnership and the right for ANYONE to marry their loving partner - regardless of sexual identity. More information can be found at the Queer Eugene website. Thank you.
Matt Keating
Art by Shepard Fairey, artist who created the iconic Obama “HOPE” poster
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November 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
The 21st Century starts now.
Hyperbole aside, your voice — your VOTE mattered! I truly believe our collective efforts these past 11 months have helped save our city, save our community college, save our county, save our state, save our country and save our planet. For that, we thank you.
President-elect Barack Obama’s in-box will undoubtedly be monstrous. His team, already being assembled, will certainly have their hands full of an unfathomable economic, domestic and international mess. But locally - right here in Lane County - we can assist our 44th president by staying actively involved. We need to roll up our sleeves and remain as dedicated to the cause of change as we were leading up to that emotional May Primary and that most memorable Tuesday, Novemeber 4. Yes, we did - but now we must buckle down and “be the change we want to see.”
Join fellow progressives for a potluck/volunteer “Thank You” on Thursday, November 20 at the monthly Democratic Party of Lane County Central Committee meeting in Springfield. Stay plugged-in to local, state and national politics and celebrate, with great revelry, our long path to victory. (DPLC Central Committee meetings are normally held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at EWEB. The Novemeber DPLC meeting/volunteer “thank you” potluck, however, is at the Woodworkers Union Hall at 1116 S. “A” Street in Springfield - 6:30 p.m.) RSVP at events@dplc.org; http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2jw; or call the DPLC at 541-484-5099.
With your help, we can implement — on a local level — President-elect Obama’s environmental awareness, education reform, health care and social improvement plans and inspire a sense of service unlike any we’ve ever seen. Stay engaged. Be the Change.
See you Thursday, Novemeber 20th in Springfield for the DPLC volunteer “thank you” potluck. Yes, Lane County, we did — now let’s get to work!
Matt Keating, Candidate for Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County
mkeating@studentsforbarackobama.com
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Matt Keating and Mario Parker-Milligan at the Lane County Elections Watch Party, 11-4-08 (photo by JB BOTWINICK/The Torch).
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November 4th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
This is it, America! If you’re reading this and have yet to chip-in to help the future of our nation, please stop by the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway NOW!
And if you haven’t voted yet - DO IT! And do it “down-ticket” PLEASE!
Finally, see y’all after our final GOTV push at the Lane County Fairgrounds from 8PM-10PM. Following the Election Watch Party at the Fairgrounds, we’re slated to gather at Davis’ Restaurant in Eugene from 10:30PM-2AM. The good folks at Davis’ are kind enough to offer $3 beer specials and $3 well drinks for Obama backers!
Good luck to Obama, Merkley, the LCC Bond Measure, our Lane County and State of Oregon down-ticket Dems!
Matt Keating - chowing on Pegasus Pizza Pie @ the Obama office before my final GOTV canvass of the 2008 season . . . !
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November 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
This note comes on the heels of a most inspiring visit to Eugene by DNC Chairman Howard Dean. As Governor Dean exclaimed yesterday evening, “Live from Eugene — it’s Sunday night!”
U.S. Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley, Governor Howard Dean, and Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian in Eugene, OR (11-2-08). Photo by Matt Keating.
Before launching into our Eugene-Springfield plan for Tuesday’s final Get Out The Vote push, I’d like to share with you some highlights of the last 24 hours.
As great as it is to get a visit from the architect of the Democratic Party’s 50 State Strategy (and the man responsible for our current campaign’s savvy use of the internet), Saturday night’s conference call with Barack Obama was the highlight of weekend highlights!
“You are the lifeblood of this campaign,” Senator Obama reminded yours truly and 20,000 volunteers, community organizers, and campaign workers across the country via conference call. “Keep up the good work but don’t get complacent,” Obama announced. “It’d be a shame to work so hard for so long and see history slip through our hands.”
Our future 44th president encouraged us to keep spirits up, stay positive, double our efforts, bring new friends into the fold, keep folks engaged and vested in the political process and turn out millions of new voters on Tuesday. Ultimately, Obama offered this: We can rest on Wednesday! (Yes, we will!)
That’s the last 24 hours: A Howard Dean visit to our campaign office and a kick-@%# Barack Obama conference call sandwiched by two canvass shifts (over 120 doors knocked), a Saturday Market booth staffed, over a dozen new volunteers recruited, around 100 calls made, and half-a-dozen ballots collected. Truly, the Eugene students and staff at the Lane County Obama office feel that our future president would be so pleased to see our team diligently “working as if we’re twenty points down.”
Tonight is our last evening to effectively educate voters about the importance of down-ticket Democratic voting, offical drop-box locations, etc. Let’s not waist a moment of the final Merkley Monday of the 2008 campaign!
And, of course, there’s November 4th. Our combined GOTV efforts during the FINAL 24 hours of this historic movement must be focussed on organization and mobilization before celebration.
Here’s a breakdown of Election Day activity if you’d like to join us:
4AM-6AM — Join us for a “silent knock” reminder to voters that today is the LAST day to drop your ballot at an official drop box location in Lane County. Please be at the Campaign for Change HQ (150 W. Broadway) by 4AM.
7AM-9AM — Sign waving/visibility @ Ferry St. Bridge. Please join us for Election Day sign-waving for Obama, Merkley, Kitty and down-ticket Dems at the Ferry St. Bridge. Signs will be provided. Homemade signs are welcome - stay positive, please!
10AM-11AM — Sign waving/visibility at 30th near Albertson’s for “YES!” on Lane Community College’s Bond Measure 20-142.
11:30AM-12:30PM — Securing space for Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama at the Fairgrounds for Election Results Watch Party.
1PM-4PM — Final day of ballot collection and tabling at LCC for Obama/Merkley/Piercy and LCC’s Bond Measure 20-142.
5PM-7:59PM — Final GOTV action! Canvassing and quality ballot collection!
8PM-10PM — Election Results Watch Party @ the Lane County Fairgrounds! YES, WE CAN!
10PM-2AM — Election Results Post Party @ Davis’ Restaurant & Bar. $3 beers, $3 well drinks, and FREE admission for volunteers!!!
Fellow Obama enthusiasts and dedicated Campaigners for Change, this THE most historic moment of our life. Do more, please, than you’ve ever done in a single day for any candidate ever! Knock on doors, make critical phone calls. Get out the word and GET OUT THE VOTE!
Thank you for all you do, all you’ve done and all we’ll accomplish in the next crucial 24 hours of this campaign.
Fired up!
. . . And ready to go!
Matt Keating
youtube.com/mkeating2008 www.yesforlcc.com
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October 26th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
Jolene Loudon of Junction City writes, “Clipboards and voter registration forms in hand, the most diligent workers of the political season — unpaid canvassers — are the finest symbol of democracy in action.”
Awesome.
In support of Lane’s critical Bond Measure 20-142, Lane Student Dems/Lane Students for Obama encourage fellow students to canvass and/or phone-bank for your candidate of choice — especially if you’re a student in support of Lane’s Bond (even if it’s just for a few hours). Volunteer opportunities to help support LCC’s Bond Measure are available at www.yesforlcc.com.
Also, this Monday, October 27, is another Lane Students for Obama Merkley Monday! From the Forward Oregon office on 12th and High, Lane Student Dems will make phone calls in support of Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. Join us from 6PM-8:30PM (pizza provided!) Contact Justin at jcox@forwardoregon.org for more information.
And, of course, at our Lane Students for Obama table in the LCC cafeteria, we provide students with quite a bit of crucial voter information from the League of Women Voters (http://www.lwvor.org/votersguide.htm) and the Democratic Party of Lane County (DPLC.org). We also have plenty of Obama T-shirts, stickers, and Obama-Biden lawn signs from the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO.org).
OK, here’s the calendar of activity for the Lane Student group through Election Day . . .
Monday-Friday (9AM-3PM) - Providing ballot pick-up at LCC and tabling at Lane Community College for Obama-Biden, Jeff Merkley, Kate Brown, Kitty Piercy, down-ticket Dems and “YES!” on Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142.
Monday, October 27 (6PM-8:30PM) - Merkley Monday - Phonebanking from Forward Oregon office at 12th and High for Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate.
Tuesday, October 28 (6:00PM-8:30PM) - Phonebanking from SEIU for Kitty Piercy for Mayor. Details: visit http://www.kittypiercy.com/volunteer.htm, e-mail jessica@kittypiercy.com or call 334-6727 to sign-up!
Wednesday, October 29 (8PM-8:30PM) - Obama on TV Watch Party @ World Flavors. Barack Obama has purchased a half-hour of TV-time on the anniversary of the 1929 stock market crash to address the issues of job creation and our current economic situation.
Wednesday, October 29 (7pm-8:30pm) - Phonebanking from SEIU for Kitty Piercy for Mayor. Details: visit http://www.kittypiercy.com/volunteer.htm, e-mail jessica@kittypiercy.com or call 334-6727 to sign-up!
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy welcomes Barack Obama to the University of Oregon (Spring, 2008)
Thursday, October 30 (5PM-8:30PM) - Phonebanking for “YES!” on LCC’s Bond Measure 20-142 from the O.E.A. headquarters at 2815 Coburg Rd. (just north of Shopko and Crescent Dr.) in Eugene.
Thursday, October 30 (4:30PM-8:30Pm) - GOTV canvassing/phonebanking from Obama’s Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene.
Friday, October 31 (4PM-6PM) - Phonbanking for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley from 150 W. Broadway.
Friday, October 31 (6PM-8:30PM) - Canvass in Costume!!! (Please, NO political costumes. Thanks!) Meet at the 150 W. Broadway office to Barack the Vote on Halloween!
Friday, October 31 (11PM-2AM) - Barack-O-Lantern “Bring Your Ballot Halloween Party” @ Eugene’s historic McDonald Theater. Show starts at 11pm, tickets: $10 - advance; $12 - door. All ages.
Friday, October 31 - Last day to mail your Oregon ballot!!!
Saturday, November 1 (10AM-3PM) - Saturday Market voter information booth. Volunteer opportunities available. Contact Matt at mkeating@studentsforbarackobama.com.
Saturday, November 1 (10:30AM-1:00PM) - Canvassing for Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142. Location: To be determined. Details, e-mail trevor@yesforlcc.com.
Saturday, November 1 (10AM-2PM, 2PM-6PM, 6PM-9PM) - GOTV canvasing from Obama’s Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene. E-mail daguilar@oregon4change.com to RSVP.
Sunday, November 2 (1PM-3:30PM, 3:30PM-6PM, 6PM-8:30PM) - Phonebanking for “YES!” on Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142 from O.E.A. headquarters at 2815 Coburg Rd. (just north of Shopko and Crescent Dr.) in Eugene. Visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprqgm to RSVP.
Sunday, November 2 (10AM-2PM, 2PM-6PM) - GOTV canvass shifts for Obama-Biden and down-ticket Dems from 150 W. Broadway. E-mail DAguilar@Oregon4Change.com to volunteer!
Also, appearing at the Obama office on Sunday, November 2 (7:30PM) - DNC Chair Howard Dean! Admission to see Governor Dean is a completed walk-packet canvassed earlier that afternoon.
Monday, November 3 (10AM-2PM) - Ballot collection/tabling at Lane Community College (Center Building - Cafeteria).
Monday, November 3 (2PM-6PM, 6PM-9PM) - GOTV canvassing for Obama-Biden and down-ticket Dems!
Tuesday, November 4 (10AM-2Pm) - Ballot collection/tabling at Lane Community College
Tuesday, November 4 (2PM-5Pm, 5PM-8PM) - ELECTION DAY!!! Final day of GOTV canvassing!
Tuesday, November 4 (8pm-1opm) - Election Results watch party @ Lane County Fairgrounds
Tuesday, November 4 (10PM-2AM) - Post Election Party @ McDonald Theater. 21+ please.
Remember, VOTE by 8PM on November 4. To find your nearest official ballot drop box, visit www.voteforchange.com.
Thanks!
Matt Keating
2 Comments
October 24th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEFF MERKLEY!
Lane Students for Obama/Lane Student Dems president Mario Parker with U.S. Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley at the University of Oregon.
CALENDAR:
Tonight: Meeting/phonebank with Eugene for Obama-Biden memebers and Lane Students for Obama. “FREE PIZZA FRIDAY” from Pegasus Pizza @ 150 W. Broadway (Eugene - 7PM).
Saturday: Canvassing for Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142 from the parking lot of South Eugene High School (400 E 19th) on Patterson across from the YMCA. Coffee will be provided (10AM).
Saturday: GOTV Obama-Biden/Merkley canvassing from Guido Batista’s house @ 140 Hardy Ave. in Eugene 97404. Start time: noon. Please RSVP by calling Noah Dorson at 503-449-1440.
Sunday: “LCC Sunday” phonebanking from O.E.A. (2815 Coburg Road) - just north of Costco from 1PM-3:30PM; 3:30PM-6PM; 6PM-6:30PM.
Details and RSVP on http://my. barackobama. com/page/event/detail/gprqgm.
Monday: “Merkley Monday” phonebank from Forward Oregon office on 12th and High (Eugene - 6PM).
Please RSVP: http://my. barackobama. com/page/event/detail/gprqqb.
Oregon Delegate/Lane Students for Obama Chapter Coordinator Matt Keating interviews U.S. Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley for www.youtube.com/mkeating2008
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October 22nd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
Lane Students,
We need a Secretary of State who will fight for all Oregonians and who will fight for fair elections. Kate Brown has a proven track record and a clear vision of where she would lead Oregon as Secretary of State.
See video of Kate Brown speaking directly to Lane Community College students and staff at www.youtube.com/mkeating2008.
This Friday, please come cheer Kate on as she debates Republican Rick Dancer at the Downtown Athletic Club. Let’s show Oregon voters that Eugene supports a progressive champion like Kate Brown for Secretary of State!
For more information on Kate Brown, please visit http://www.katebrownfororegon.com/. Thanks!
-Lane Student Democrats
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October 20th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
I just posted a :60sec Students for Merkley video from Jeff’s visit to the UO with Senator Russ Feingold and Rep. Peter DeFazio on Tuesday, October 14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEGUQtpV9W4.
Speaker Merkley is neck-n-neck with Gordon Smith, the Republican incumbent. Please, IF YOU BACK BARACK, JOIN JEFF! Volunteers are needed - especially tonight when Lane Student Dems participate in another “Merkley Monday phonebank” at the Forward Oregon office on 12th & High in Eugene. E-mail jcox@forwardoregon.org for more information.
Oh! This Friday, Vice President Al Gore and Jeff Merkley will be in Portland (Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd.) for a reception for change at 5:30pm. General admission is $50 and preferred seating is $250. More details are at www.jeffmerkley.com.
For those of us staying in Eugene on Friday, please visit the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 7pm for another FREE PIZZA FRIDAY PHONEBANK FOR OBAMA! Courtesy of Pegasus Pizza, free eats will be provided to Eugene for Obama-Biden and Lane Student Democrat volunteers participating in our weekly get-together at the Obama office!
Thanks,
Matt
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October 18th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
Barack Obama’s brother-in-law, OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson and fellow Eugene Obama enthusiasts shared a brief rendezvous this afternoon at the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ (150 W. Broadway, Eugene). “Coach” (as I call Michelle Obama’s older brother) helped the Eugene field office kick-off our 1st day of Get-Out-the-Vote canvassing for the 2008 election.
“The game’s not over till it’s over,” Coach Robinson announced. “I know we’re up in the polls, but that’s like being up (by) eight with about four minutes to go . . . so we’ve got to continue to work through the fourth!” And the crowded Campaign for Change office erupted into applause.
Privately, Coach Robinson echoed his all-too-important 4th quarter analogy by addressing my laptop and the collegiate YouTube community about the importance of casting every vote, “While it seems like we’re up now — we’re not up by much and every vote’s gonna count . . . It would be really exciting,” Coach Robinson continued, “to have a turnout like we’ve never had here in Oregon and you guys can be a part of it!”
For video of Coach Craig Robinson’s visit to Eugene’s Campaign for Change HQ, please visit www.youtube.com/mkeating2008. (Just give me an evening to do some editing, please!)
Oh! I should add that the Beaver basketball coach’s pep-talk worked: Our team immediately hit the streets engaged in quality Get-Out-the-Vote canvassing!
. . . It’s just past 6pm and I’m at Allen Bros. (on Hilyard) taking a quick coffee break from my South University area canvassing for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. The bad news: my shoes (after canvassing in Oregon, Montana and Colorado) are finally starting to wear. The good news: We already collected one ballot! Yeahhh!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!
For those that don’t know, our G.O.T.V. goals are simple: educate voters on the importance of early voting, down-ticket Democratic support and using $0.59 worth of postage if they choose to mail their ballots. We’re also providing a toll-free hot-line for the few folks whom have yet to receive their ballot or have specific voting questions/concerns. The number: 888-969-7622 (888-MY-OR-OBAMA).
Thanks for the read, the support, and the enthusiasm surrounding the MOST historic election and transformational movement in the history of American politics.
. . . Now go out there and do a G.O.T.V. canvass shift! Barack needs EVERYONE’s involvement — and that means YOU!
Thank you,
Matt Keating
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October 11th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
(LCC Student attends Democratic National Convention)
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 11:30am - Mayoral Debate at KLCC (Selco Building). Call KLCC at (541) 463-6000 to be in the audience for the Noon broadcast of the live debate between Kitty Piercy and Jim Torrey - LIVE on KLCC at noon!
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 2pm - GOTV Summit Training (includes Vote by Mail training, Get-Out-The-Vote Canvassing instructions, and Election Day plans. Join us at Lane County’s Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene for student volunteer training, priorities and programs geared toward our critical GOTV effort).
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 3:30pm - North Eugene/Bethel canvass for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. Meet at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene.
Monday, Oct. 13 - Tabling for Obama, Merkley and down-ticket Democrats with the Lane Students for Obama/Lane Student Democrats at Lane Community College cafeteria (10am-3pm).
Monday, Oct. 13 - “Merkley Monday” Phonebanking from Jeff Merkley’s Forward Oregon office at 12th & High St. in Eugene (6p-8:30p).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE!!! Join Lane Students for Obama for our final day of voter registration tabling at LCC (10am-1pm).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - Rally for Jeff Merkley with U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Peter DeFazio, and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy at the ERB Memorial Union (1pm - 2:30pm).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - “Kitty Tuesday” - Phonebanking for Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy from SEIU on 11th and Franklin (6pm-8:30pm). To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@kittypiercy.com or call the campaign at 541-334-6727.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 - 3rd and final Presidential Debate Watch Party @ World Flavors Pizza in Eugene. World Flavors is located at 1044 Willamette - just three doors down from the McDonald Theater (5:45pm-7:30pm).
Thursday, Oct. 16 - Post Debate Day of Action canvassing! Meet at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene at 5pm. Contact Diana Aguilar at daguilar@oregon4change for more information or to schedule yourself for a volunteer shift!
Friday, Oct. 17 - 7pm - FREE PIZZA FRIDAY courtesy of Eugene’s Pegasus Pizza! Meet with grassroots group Eugene for Obama and the Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama for some free pie at the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ - 150 W. Broadway in Eugene (7pm). Immediately following our meeting, we’ll make a final round of Friday phone calls to voters the day ballots are mailed out to Oregonians.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - 10am - FIRST DAY OF GET-OUT-THE-VOTE!!!
Sunday, Oct. 19 - “LCC Sunday” - Phonebanking in support of Local Ballot Measure 20-142 (LCC’s Bond Measure) from 1p-3:30p, 3:30p-6:00p, and 6:00p-8:30p. E-mail Trevor at trevor@yesforlcc.com. For more Measure 20-142 information, please visit www.yesforlcc.com.
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