ELECTION 2008 - WE DID IT!

The primary objective of the Labor 2008 Field Program was to elect Barack Obama President of the United States and re-elect Congressman Joe Sestak and Congressman Patrick Murphy. These goals were accomplished. Not only did we win all 5 counties, exit polls confirm that Union members voted for Obama 68% of the time.

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The percentage of Union Members voting for Obama in Southeast Pennsylvania was most likely much higher as we know Western PA was averaging around 60% for Obama. In the last week of the campaign Union members across The Southeastern ALF averaged 74% in phones and walks. This is likely where we ended on November 4^th.

The secondary objective was to re-elect pro Working Families candidates Barbara McElvain Smith, Rick Taylor, Tom Murt, Tim Briggs, Chris King, Brian Lentz, and Mike Vereb.  In other challenger races we did pick-up AFL-CIO endorsed candidates Tom Houghten, Paul Drucker, Steve Santarsiero and Brendon Boyle.

WHAT WE DID

• Timeline – This year’s Labor program began much earlier than in past years.   The key to the strength of Obama’s win with Union members was this early program.  We were effectively able to drive the negative opinion of McCain to well over 50% by late July when McCain began his late advertising blitz in September and October - he had already lost the union vote.

• Mail – The local Union mail program was incredibly effective this year.   We sent over 150,000 pieces of Local Union Mail before our GOTV program which sent an additional 80,000 pieces of mail in the last 2 weeks.

• Worksite leaflet – Zone 2 ordered over 500,000 worksite leaflets this cycle which were mostly distributed by stewards and staff inside of work places, not at gates.  This was far more effective as the information was coming from a trusted source.

• Walks – Our Walk program stated in June and pushed throughout the summer. In Early September our walks became weekly and by late September they became daily walks. We worked closely with Working America who also had daily walks into Zone 2 starting after Labor Day. Our Walk total was over 90,000 from Union members and an additional 80,000 from working America.  Our total Doors Knocked with Working America was 170,000.

• Phones – The Phone program went up after Labor Day, this year we had call centers in Berks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties.  This helped maintain a high volunteer turnout on our Phones in the months of September – October we made 160,000.   During our 4 Day GOTV call Program we made an additional 30,000 calls.

The result, Congressman Murphy improved his vote margin by 47,000 votes.   The Southeastern ALF was proud to help send Patrick back to Washington.