Obama Campaign Volunteers to Gather at Qathra Friday

As prospective voters digest Wednesday night's Presidential debate, a local President Barack Obama campaign group readies itself for the home stretch. 

The Midwood Phone Bank will meet at Ditmas Park's Qathra Cafe on Fri., Oct. 5 from 5-9 p.m. to make phonecalls and educate people on the voter ID laws and to have conversations about the November election.  

"Battleground states are already playing a key role in this year's election and with the support we have in New York, we can make a real difference by reaching out to folks in these states to ensure they are supporting the President and other Democrats," the group's event page says.

The website notes that phone banking is an important part of the group's effor to get Obama reelected, and asks for as many volunteers as possible to "ensure victory."

The phone bank's efforts come at a time when Obama might need them most. According to both Democrats and Republicans, Mitt Romney's aggressiveness during the Oct. 3 debate had the president on his heels. 

"Romney was on his 'A game.' Obama seemed like a deer caught in headlights ... he wasn't used to this kind of confrontation," wrote one Republican respondent in a survey conducted by Patch.

For swing voters in the state, respondents thought a number of debate moments could stand out in the minds of those voters, including Romney's assertiveness – one Democrat called him "glib" – and "Obama's repeated appeals to the middle class."

The event's host, Ahsan Ali, can be reached at 718-223-3600. Qathra is located at 1112 Cortelyou Rd.