Democratic clubs operating powerhouse office in South Dade

Gregory Almeida is among many volunteers helping at the South Dade office.

Report from Guest Bloggers:

Those activist Democrats in South Dade are at it again. Led by the powerful Democrats of South Dade Club, a bustling Coordinated Campaign Office opened at 9507 S. Dixie Highway in Dadeland Plaza last month and is serving all the Democratic candidates.

When you volunteer or visit the campaign office, you’ll see that it’s quite large and has a contemporary feel. “This is a highly functional office,” was the description given by Bob Goldstein, DSDC president. “We’ve got more than 2000 feet and private office areas for our volunteers.”

The South Dade Democrats are supported in this effort by a number of other Democratic clubs, including Democratic Power, Coral Gables Area Democratic Club, Ron Brown South Dade Caucus, Democracy for America-Miami and the Latin American Democratic Council. A number of Obama Campaign volunteers are also working daily at the office.

DSDC can call on a wealth of campaign experience in its part of Miami-Dade. Members and volunteers operated successful campaigns in past election cycles, and all of them were self-sufficient enterprises. “Our 2004 effort for Kerry was our best campaign yet,” Goldstein said. “We had over 2,000 volunteers working that year. We might be able to do better this year. Enthusiasm is running high.”

The storefront office offers the convenience of a central location right on US 1, which is commonly known as South Dixie Highway. The Metrorail line ends at the Datran Center, which is right across the street from the office. Volunteers also have ample parking on the roof and a wide choice of restaurants in the shopping complex.

Campaign activities include a phone bank operation, which is operated off-premises in the Kendall area, canvassing efforts led by the Obama volunteers, voter registration and a series of highway honk-and-wave demonstrations. The office also acts as a staging area for many Democratic field operations, and several of the Democratic clubs and caucuses hold their meetings there.

Democrats interested in helping what is shaping up as a historical campaign should call the Coordinated Campaign Office at 305-667-4929. The office operates from 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday, and from Noon to 4 PM on weekends. Office hours will be expanded after the Democratic convention in Denver.