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| Coastside's delegate plans to stump in Nevada By Cornelia Wick [ Special to the Review ] Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:58 AM PDT The Coastside’s delegate to the Democratic National Convention this week is excited about the historic convention, and plans to join others from the Bay Area in applying their advocacy skills in Nevada. Reached in Denver on the eve of the convention, Montaran April Vargas praised the energy, excitement and impeccable organization of the Obama campaign. Vargas is a delegate for the 12th Congressional District along with Mark Brickman of San Mateo and Susan Pfeifer of South San Francisco,. “This is unlike anything I have ever seen in my life!” Vargas said. Vargas attributes Obama’s success in gaining the nomination to a great organization. Vargas first became interested in Obama in March 2007, when she attended a training meeting called “Camp Obama.” The training, created by Marshal Ganz of Harvard’s School of Government, is based on creating personal relationships with potential voters and volunteers. There is a mathematical element to the strategy — the candidate needs a certain number of votes, she noted. The campaign is tackling that with phone banks, field operations and volunteers who may go door to door. The Democrats in District 12 have officially adopted northern Nevada. They plan to campaign, train and organize the Obama vote in rural Nevada and the Reno area. “We need up to 200 volunteers who are interested in helping us campaign in Nevada,” Vargas said. “This includes trips to Nevada to train volunteers, create phone banks and organize more “Camp Obama” seminars.” “We want to convert the strong support that we have on the coast into direct support and understanding in Nevada,” said Vargas. Vargas likes the decision to choose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as Obama’s vice presidential running mate. Biden’s 36 years of experience on Capitol Hill will help Obama be a better president, Vargas said. “They have great chemistry together and come from working-class backgrounds,” she said. “They want to give a voice to the working class people of America.” There is another “Camp Obama” training seminar Sept. 6 and 7 in South San Francisco. To learn more, call Vargas at 728-5215. |