The unforgiving minute: An exchange of messages on belonging

Jim Messina, Campaign Manager, Obama for America, to me:

From: Jim Messina, BarackObama.com
Date: Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Subject: 579 people in Beaverton, OR
To: Bill Nothstine

Bill --

Here's something you don't have in common with 579 other supporters of this movement who tell us they live in Beaverton, OR.

That many of your neighbors have decided to own a piece of this campaign by making a donation of whatever they could afford. For some, that meant just $5. For others, it meant $100 or more. But each had their own personal reason for giving.

Our records show that you aren't one of the 579 people where you're from who have stepped up for 2012. Now's your chance to change that.

Me to Jim Messina:

Jim--

Thanks for your invitation. Unfortunately, there's something I already do have in common with a much larger local group: the 1954 people in Beaverton who are unemployed.

And as long as I'm a member of that group, I'm afraid I'm not going to be a member of yours.

Thanks anyway.

Minute's up.