Impacto Cesar Chavez 2008
The national rise of Marshall Ganz
Keene, Ca._ The weather this weekend at Cesar Chavez’s gravesite was wet and windy. However there is no doubt that Chavez is celebrating the Obama victory from his heavenly perch. Very few people have contributed to the American and Latino experiences like that one tireless warrior did for the better part of five decades.
2008 was no exception. Cesar’s presence was there for every step of the campaign, especially in the form of his grandchildren who “got it” early on and were with Barack Obama, whom they knew their grandfather would have supported were here alive and with them. He always supported the underdog and would be pleased with Obama. Even though his former union went with the traditional labor supported candidate who was not bad herself, the right side for his legacy was always the Obama camp. Come to think of it “Camp Obama” was the brainchild of one of Chavez’s closest organizers, whom Chavez arguably favored over all others during their times together. Marshall Ganz will be mentioned over and over in the aftermath of this election as the key field architect of Obama’s field operations. After joining Chavez in 1966 Ganz became a top organizer with the farmworker’s union. In the years to come Chavez would assign him to work on the Bobby Kennedy, George McGovern and Jerry Brown presidential campaigns. Combining farm worker organizing and political organizing became a quest for the disciplined and driven Ganz. Even after he left Chavez’ side in 1981 Ganz continued to search for the elusive “perfect field operation,:” finding small roles in every succeeding presidential race. While teaching at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Ganz would come into contact with top operatives for Howard Dean who gave the Ganz/Chavez/Ross methodologies and approaches a chance. Only one other campaign, the Dukakis 1988 presidential campaign, had ever employed the farmworker’s style to a national effort, but they did it reluctantly, watching in wonder and awe as the places that employed the “real deal” field operation piled up win after win. That campaign never did buy into the method and offered little or no resources or support even when it hired on Ganz, Larry Tramutola and other former farmworker organizers. To Greg Akili, George Nee, Bob Johnson Jr., Fred Ross Jr., Larry Tramutola, Scott Washburn, Richard Ybarra and others we take off our hats to you as well for your parts in pushing forward the intensity and ideas of Cesar Chavez whom all had as a common teacher.
But tomorrow’s Obama victory owes so much to Ganz and his work over the last two years to prepare and train organizers with the right system, style and habits that it took to overcome all the odds for an African American to emerge as President of the United States of America. Ganz was finally able to take this unique and effective style, not utilized by professionals and consultants from either major party, to and over the top.
Congratulations in order to all the Si Se Puede team originals along with the man who inspired them all.
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