Twenty odd years after I last did canvassing and political work, this past weekend my wife got me to go canvassing for Barack Obama.  Actually, I would have been a social pariah had I not done something.  She spent the last couple of days phonebanking GOTV.

On the road to New Hampshire I revealed to my fellow carpoolers that I had had an earlier life as a political activist.  It died of burnout after one too many heartbreaks in the late '80's.  Turned out they were born in the early '80's.  One of them said they supported Obama because he seemed "cool".  My wife just likes Obama because he's smart and adult.

Last night after they called it for Obama my wife wanted to go to the Obama party, or somewhere to be with other people.

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(crossposted at kos)

Though I barely write any diarys or comments, I didn't see this anywhere and I'm still getting my mind around it.

A little bit of background...I grew up and still live in the St Louis area.  We don't have much of a Jewish community.  I remember when I was in school (in the 80's), there was only one Jewish girl in my class (that I knew of).  Religious diversity is not very common here.

Tonight I was making dinner, half paying attention to the local news, when I heard something that I was just sure couldn't be true.  After dinner, I went to my computer and looked it up.  Yep...one of our local middle schools had spirit week this week and one of their special days was "hit a Jew day".

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I live in rural Wisconsin and have been active in politics here ever since I was cognitively able to do so.  I put up my signs, I make my phone calls, I do my canvassing.  But even more important than that--I talk to my kids.

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This is admittedly a small thing. But every little positive thing we can do helps. I firmly believe that.

My sister has started a campaign in Denver to get fellow parents there to have their babies and children wear Obama T-shirts. She's spreading the word, they are spreading the word... and so on. So I am spreading the word to all of you here. Pass it on, tell a friend, buy a shirt for a baby or child in your life.

I bought my sons the Obama/PeaceDove T-shirts:

They both wore them to pre-school yesterday (9/11). I live in NYC, so I'm mainly preaching to the choir... but in places which are swing states, seeing an adorable child in an Obama T-shirt may resonate with someone who sees it. It is a simple, clear, quiet, positive reminder about why elections matter. Even if it makes ONE person stop to think or smile or reconsider, that is something.

Here's a general link for Obama kid T-shirts. If you buy from cafepress, they let you email a $5 coupon to some friends... a great way to keep the ball rolling.
http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/barack-oba ma_kids-and-baby-clothing

There are also many nice ones under obama+peace.

Some examples, there really is something for everyone...

For THEIR future...

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If you are in the SF Bay area and would like to help please use the contact info in the piece.

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