Friday, October 10, 2008

GASP! Girlfriends Appalled about Sarah Palin

Here's the latest report from the three-week-old organization that's turning into a Raleigh, NC, campaign phenom. Their results are even better than I'd reported earlier. This group is beyond bold; they're on fire.


Greetings Fellow Gaspers!

Thank you for the phenomenal turnout on Wednesday night at Megg Rader's house, where we pledged to each other to truly make a difference in this, the most important presidential election of our lives.

GASP! originated from a meeting two weeks ago where a few friends gathered to vent their anger and frustration at John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. We decided that we could not sit quietly, but should -- some of us for the first time -- play an active role in electing Barack Obama as our next President. The next week, 60 more women chimed in and this past Wednesday, 110. The spirit of GASP! (Girlfriends Appalled about Sarah Palin) goes far beyond Sarah Palin herself. We're much more about being for Obama than against McCain. But it was that one, profoundly cynical and insulting choice that hit a raw nerve for hundreds, probably thousands of women here in Wake County. We are moved to action!

We know there are countless other women like us, who -- banded together in a great cause -- can launch Obama to a double digit victory in Wake County. And we believe that as Wake County goes, so goes North Carolina. As North Carolina goes, so goes America. And as America goes, so goes the world.

Last week, we collectively contributed over 200 hours to the campaign
and over $3,000. It's a great start, but there's much more to do!

We have a rare opportunity here, and only 25 days left to seize it. So our commitments to each other can not be taken lightly. Until we meet again next Wednesday, we have challenged ourselves to:

· Volunteer in the Obama Campaign at least 2 hours. Canvas, phonebank, feed volunteers, stuff envelopes. Email Anne Franklin at annesfranklin@mindspring.com if you need help getting connected

· Contribute at least $5 to the NC Obama Campaign (https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/ovfnorthcarolina). Put "GASP" in the "Referred By" box.

· Invite at least 5 friends to attend our meeting next week and bring a bottle of wine to share.

· Work on at least one Gasp "Big Idea" such as our benefit concert with the Swingin' Johnsons on Oct 23rd. Contact Elizabeth Benefield eabenefield@aol.com to sign up.

· Expand our reach to include more women of color. Our fight is their fight and we should stand together in this historic time. Email Megg Rader at mrader@bellsouth.net to strategize about this work.

· Reach out to Garner and Cary and North Raleigh to band with other women's networks all across Wake County. Contact Carol Lawrence at cjlawrence@nc.rr.com

· Tirelessly promote the early vote (Oct 16-Nov 1). We will tell our families, our neighbors, our cashiers and bagboys and anyone else who will listen! http://www.wakegov.com/elections/onestop/default.htm

· Donate or lend tables, chairs, computers, office supplies and phone sets to the new Obama field office at 600 St. Mary's Street. Call Leah Cowan at 802-8164 to arrange a drop-off.

Our next meeting will be:

Wednesday, October 15
at 7:00PM (1/2 hour earlier this week so we won't miss the debate)
at the new Obama field office at 600 St. Mary's Street (formerly Mitchell's)

BRING 5 FRIENDS, A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A LAWN CHAIR.
Homemade signs are optional, but wonderful if you have the time!

We will sing, laugh, whoop, vent, share and welcome our newest members. We will pose for an historic GASP portrait. We will be entertained by amazing women! We will tally our accomplishments and set our next goals even higher.

It is an inspiration to be part of such an energetic and passionate group. I can't wait to see you all on Wednesday and hear your stories.

All the best,
Carter Worthy
carter@carterworthy.com
919-961-3595

Never doubt that a small group of energized Girlfriends can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has…





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18 comments:

MrDorkESQ said...

G.A.S.P. needs to unite with the Make Sarah Palin a Verb movement.

Palined.com

kenju said...

I love this idea and I say bravo to Megg and Carter for making it happen!!

kenju said...

AND to you, for reporting it, Peggy!

Peggy Payne said...

Thanks for the link, mister. "To palin" is a very expressive new verb.

And I appreciate the kudos, Kenju.

The campaign process, phone call by phone call, can be so tedious. It's nice to keep being reminded what it's for and that it might be helpful.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's so impressive! Thanks for that!

Peggy Payne said...

I'm glad you're as wowed as I am, Anon.

Have you done your absentee voting? I don't even know how that works. But I'm trying to convince my stepson in Yemen to go to the trouble to do it.

Anonymous said...

I am sending my ballot in tomorrow -- I have to find a place to get it printed out today. :)

Tell your son in Yemen to go to this link: https://www. votefromabroad.org/index.php . A few clicks, and all he has to do is print it out and send it. :)

Peggy Payne said...

Yay! I'm so glad you're doing that. I hope the form includes an I Voted sticker like we get in the local polls. Seems only right.

I think much of the world would like to vote in this presidential election. The campaign hq where I was making calls Sunday had a volunteer sitting out front who was English and had come to the U.S. on her own hook to do this work.

And thanks for the link to send to Yemen. I'll pass it on.

Anonymous said...

I think that a lot of people in the US who are irritated or angry with people from other countries who put in their two cents are not realizing how much the US impacts other countries.

If we were some small nation that wasn't even close to a superpower, no one would care.

You can't have the perks without the responsibilities...which is what I think many people (including the bankers) forgot and which landed us in this mess in the first place! ;)

Peggy Payne said...

I so look forward to our regaining respect in the eyes of the world.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure that we can, or even that we should. Historically speaking, although we've sort of skipped the Empire stage (some people would disagree), we're not so far off the usual life stages of a superpower.

There are people who still resent the UK (the old British Empire, in other words).

Regardless of all the horrible things that the British Empire did along their way, in the view of history, it can't be denied that the British left a great legacy along with the bad.

I'm fairly certain it'll be the same way with the US.

Mind you, it's all very well for me to take the long view here. I do think that the short term view is important, else nothing will actually get done... :)

Peggy Payne said...

Very good point about the value of the short-term view. I never thought about that before, and it's absolutely true.

Anonymous said...

I am so sad that you libs are so jealous of an accomplished Republican woman. I am glad I do not sit around drinking wine and complaining! It is much more productive to just be educated and happy with life! I will add you all to my prayers.

Peggy Payne said...

The members of GASP are extremely active volunteers, professionals and mothers. Not much sitting around in this group!

I'm curious, Anonymous, why you didn't use your name.

Unknown said...

I'd just like to say that I was the first Anonymous group of comments, but I was NOT the last Anonymous. I've no idea who that was, and I've a feeling I wouldn't want to sit down with her for a cup of tea. :) I only wished that Sarah Palin was in fact accomplished. Insofar as I could see, all that she accomplished was convincing people she was a total num-num and unable to be President (or for that matter, even Vice-President, even if she did think the Vice President was supposed to "be in charge" of the Senate).

Peggy Payne said...

I'm glad to see you emerge as K.B. It's pretty clear which Anonymous is which, most of the time.

Unknown said...

Yes, I can see that, Peggy. But I'd hate to think that anyone might think that last was me. I am outspoken, honest to a fault, and usually verbally blunt as a slightly used razor, but one thing I am usually NOT is self-righteous and self-satisfied. ;) And I hope that I'm a bit more clear-sighted than that...

Peggy Payne said...

Without question, K.B.