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Yahoo!Thank you Santa Barbara! On February 5, during the California Primary, Barack Obama won Santa Barbara by seven percent. From Carpinteria to Isla Vista, Montecito to Goleta, Senator Obama won 111 out of 132 precincts. Hilary Clinton won 20, and they tied in one precinct. Hundreds of volunteers did an amazing job of contacting and persuading thousands of voters to vote for Barack Obama. In neighboring San Luis Obispo County, Obama won by slightly less than seven percent. The Central Coast is Obama country!
As inspirational as Obama’s victories were here and across country, the experience for hundreds of Santa Barbara residents of launching, sustaining, and fulfilling a grassroots movement in our communities was transformative. This was a rare and precious moment in our lives, when we gave of ourselves, of our time, of our trust, and yes, of our love.
For some, this was their first political experience, joined at first with caution and wonder, and then embraced with joy and conviction. For many, the campaign was a renewal of our spirit, an embrace of the idealism of our youth, an act of overcoming years of cynicism and regret. For all of us, the campaign was and will continue to be the definition of what it means to be a member of a community, a neighbor, and an engaged citizen. For all the rewards we received from being part of a community-based movement, we can thank Barack Obama, but mostly, we can thank ourselves. We are the change we want to see. —Frank Christopher
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