The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Related Photos

Discussion

July 14, 2008

Obama campaign to set up regional office in Joplin

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

Local Democrats are excited at the prospects of a Joplin-based office for the Barack Obama presidential campaign.

Democrats on Monday night packed a Joplin hall to hear a regional field director outline plans for a campaign that will rely on residents for grass-roots organizing.

The announcement that Joplin will be the site of a regional campaign office was one of several comments that brought applause from the crowd that filled the Laborers’ Union Hall at 20th Street and Empire Avenue.

The Joplin area typically is a satellite of Democrat campaigns based in Springfield, said Tim Anderson, a regional field director for the campaign.

“Because this area turned out so well for (now U.S. Sen.) Claire McCaskill two years ago, there will be a regional office here,” Anderson said.

He said the 16 counties that will compose the region “have been tough for Democrats,” but compared it with the area surrounding his hometown of Norfolk, Neb.

“It was a GOP stronghold, but there has been a 30-point shift in the last six years; no one thought it was possible,” he said.

He said the Obama campaign recognizes the importance of Missouri as a bellwether state “and will do a lot of work here.”

“It’s a historic campaign at a historic time, with more people getting registered, more people voting, and more people understanding there is an opportunity to take back the country,” he said, to applause from the crowd.

He said initial chores will be opening a campaign office, with plans for voter registration drives, neighborhood canvassing and setting up booths for the campaign at county fairs and other events.

Also introduced was Cecil Hynds-Riddle, who will work in the area as a field organizer.

Both referred briefly to the fact that residents may be coming to the campaign late, after supporting Hillary Clinton or another Democratic contender.

“I really think we’ll be stronger because of it; we have the message,” Anderson said.

To questions from the crowd, Anderson said the Obama campaign workers “will stay through the election.”

The Kerry campaign pulled workers from Missouri in the final weeks four years ago.

Doug Brooks called the crowd “the largest I’ve ever seen at a committee meeting.”

“There are a lot of new faces among the regulars and a lot of young people,” he said. “I’m excited to see that.”

Brooks, who lives in rural Joplin, is a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Missouri is getting plenty of attention from both campaigns so far. Obama has made a number of stops in the state, and John McCain, who was in Springfield recently, will be in Kansas City on Thursday.



Slight lead

A recent poll shows Obama has a slight lead in Missouri. Among 800 voters questioned last week, Obama received 48 percent and McCain, 43 percent, among likely Missouri voters in a poll conducted for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011