Organizing for America listening tour makes stop in Cape Girardeau

For Matthew Heisserer, Obama's campaign did not end Nov. 4.

"I'm continuing to be amazed at how well this campaign continues to be organized," he said.

Listening tours for Obama's ongoing grassroots efforts, Organizing for America, kicked off throughout the country Tuesday.

About 30 supporters, including some from Dexter, Mo., and Poplar Bluff, Mo., came to Southeast Missouri State University to organize local efforts to advance the president's agenda.

"People know their own communities better than we ever will," said Daniel Herman, Missouri director for Organizing for America. The organization is a project of the Democratic National Committee.

Herman said the Missouri tour will continue with ten stops throughout the state during the next three weeks.

The organization's objective is to gain support for Obama's education, energy and health-care policies, he said during the meeting. Supporters evaluated the resources available locally and how area issues play into national policies.

"This is your organization," Herman said. "This is a grassroots organization."

While the project will not have as many resources as were available during the general election, he said efforts will be spread throughout the state after he develops a state plan.

"We want to make sure there's a presence in every community," he said.

Heisserer, a senior at Southeast, worked on the Obama campaign starting in June.

"The campaign was organized differently and the next four years are going to go differently," he said.

Heisserer has been working with the organization for the past few months canvassing and meeting with volunteers. Many people, he said, were excited Obama supporters were still working.

"I think this is the best thing for a first step," he said of the meeting.

Vannessa Frazier of Howardville, Mo., worked on the campaign during its last three months. She said the campaign needs to remain engaged with the area.

"These meetings need to go rural to every community," she said.

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