The Story of an Obama Staffer

by Kyle Charland

Barack Obama staffer Max Blachman has his hands deep in a historic presidential election.

Blachman grew up in a strongly Democratic family. Though his parents were heavy into politics, his interest wasn’t sparked until he went to college.

The 23-year-old attended the College of Charleston and majored in political science. While in school, he worked on several campaigns and was active with the local and state Democratic Party.

“I spent about six months in D.C. as an intern in Congressman James E. Clyburn’s (D-SC) office and working with the House Democratic Caucus,” Blachman explained.

The amazing experience gave him the opportunity to assist with office duties and learn a lot about the legislative process.

Inspired by a speech Obama gave in Charleston, S.C., Blachman applied with the presidential hopeful in his final weeks of college.

“I graduated on May 13, 2007, and I was in Columbia, S.C., working the following week,” he said.
He was hired as a field organizer for northeast Columbia, where he worked for eight months before the South Carolina Democratic primary.

After the primary wrapped up, Blachman then went on to organize “get out and vote” efforts in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

“I was then hired as a regional field director in Pennsylvania where I worked for seven weeks before heading out to Indianapolis where I was the regional “get out and vote” director,” said Blachman.

After a six-day break, two of which were spent on the road, he then headed to Ohio to be a part of the transition team.

“I was the first staffer on the ground in Ohio while the primary campaign was still sputtering to a halt around the country,” Blachman explained.

Five weeks later, Blachman was hired as the regional field director for Northern Franklin County, which includes parts of Columbus and surrounding suburbs.

Now his passion for the political process is turning on the general election, which he hopes all his blood, sweat and tears will lend a hand in getting his candidate elected.

“There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not grateful for the opportunity to be a part of what I believe is the most critical election of our lifetime. We have the opportunity to right the wrongs of the last eight years and do so much good,” Blachman said. “It keeps me at work late and helps me throw off the covers in the morning when all I want to do is sleep.”