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Obama Supporter Talks Successes And Shortcomings Of The President

Michelle Toh |
September 14, 2012 | 5:48 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter
Vinod Shankar, pro-Obama activist (Michelle Toh)
Vinod Shankar, pro-Obama activist (Michelle Toh)
Attorney Vinod Shankar, 36, directed a phone bank event for President Obama Monday afternoon. Held at a private residence in his Redondo Beach neighborhood, this was one of many functions Shankar has participated in for the Democratic candidate.
A solo practitioner, Shankar uses a virtual law office and described his work as a “progressive and modern practice.” Since he “started paying attention” to politics, he said he has largely supported the Democratic Party, volunteering for grassroots events and campaign work for candidates such as California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. 
Shankar described phone banking as a more aggressive method he and his neighbors used to secure citizens’ votes. The team follows a script and is generally strategic in selecting their recipients. At this particular event, the team focused their efforts on registered Democrats in Nevada, where early voting will commence on Oct. 20. 
“That way, when voting time comes, we know all the Democrats,” he explained. “We know who they are, we know where they live.” 
The president’s government reforms played a large part in Shankar’s political consideration.
“I mean, what hasn’t he done? From getting health care, and the jobs bill is really underrated. It was an amazing bill. It would have done everything to get jobs. All the ways that are known to create jobs were in that bill. Basically spending on infrastructure and tax credits for job creators. There’s really no other accepted way to create jobs.” 
He identified a gap in information as a major challenge for Obama.
“I think he needs to sell himself a lot. I think the general public thinks he isn’t doing anything,” he said. “I think that a lot of them don’t necessarily know – even his supporters – just how much he really has done.”
Shankar is right to some degree in pointing out the re-election team’s modesty in success. In August, the Obama campaign outraised former Gov. Mitt Romney for the first time in four months, raking in over $114 million.
“No celebrating, because they're going to have an even bigger September,” Obama’s camp tweeted. “But now we know we can match them, doing this our way.” 
Shankar’s most vital message to voters: “That [Obama] accomplishes things. That he’s accomplished a lot of things. I see it here, when people come to these things, they’re always like, ‘Oh, well you know, if Republicans weren’t stopping him, he could do so much more.’ I don’t know if he could. He’s done a lot. He’s already at the extreme.”
Drawing upon his past experience, the attorney stated what he sees as a lack of communication as a general problem within the Democratic Party.
“Once we get health care, instead of telling everyone, ‘Look, these are all the amazing things you’re going to have,’ they just move onto the next thing," Shankar said. "Which is good and bad. It’s just the nature of being progressive, I guess. We progress. We kind of trust that everyone will love it but it’s not that easy.” 
He continued, “I don’t think we need the public to necessarily tell us what our platform is, just to sell it. Republicans are good at selling their stuff, even if it’s crap. For some reason, we’re not as accomplished at that.” 
Shankar remains confident in Obama’s ability, however, pointing out press conferences earlier in Obama's presidency as examples of leadership.
“He stood there, answered questions and just explained everything. And I thought it was amazing," he said. "Because he can explain stuff; he was a professor, he’s smart and he can explain exactly why he did it, what needs to be done. I thought, if he did that on a more regular basis, I would love that.”
He acknowledged the president’s tactfulness on issues of national security and indefinite detention, highlighting voters’ concern that Obama may sometimes be too careful.
“[He] has sort of been in the middle of the road," Shankar said. "I would like to see him do something about that. I think he probably will when he doesn’t have to get re-elected anymore. Maybe that’s faith on my part.”
What Shankar is certain of is his aversion to Obama’s GOP opponent.
“I don’t trust Mitt Romney,” he said. “I personally don’t see any reason why any woman should vote for a Republican. Why would they ? They came out against birth control, very basic things. Why would anyone vote against their own interests? But to some extent, that’s a Democratic problem. We’re not going and getting those Republican women [on our side]. We probably could.” 
Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage on the 2012 election here.
Reach Staff Reporter Michelle Toh here.


 

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