Cross-posted at teamsterpower.dailykos.com 

(U.S. 90, INDIANA) - This is my second convoy in about three weeks and I have to say that while the pace is grueling, it is has been one of my favorite Teamster experiences so far.

This is my first presidential campaign with the Teamsters, and although I've attended other rallies, marches and big events, this is my first chance to get to talk with a large number of members one-on-one.

That's the heart and soul of the work-site visit, and why it is the foundation of Union political organizing.

The vibe is definitely different in Indiana, especially in Hammond and Gary, which lay on the fringes of Chicago, Obama's home turf and where we kicked off our two-day trek across the Hoosier state.

Follow Hoffa's Indiana Convoy for Change on this Google Map. Updates to come, photos too, so check back later.

Charlie (pronounced "Cholly" in Chicagoan) from Local 703 is our driver. He says he has "worked with unions for 48 years now" and knew Obama when the young community organizer was helping displaced steel mill workers on the South Side of Chicago.

"When you get down to it," Charlie said, "you can believe what this guy says. You know, other politicians, when they say something it sounds like they're reading it off a script or something. But I feel like this guy speaks from his heart. He's genuine."

I told him that when we were in Pennsylvania, many of the undecided voters said they weren't sure Obama had enough experience to be president. I asked him what he thought of that. After all, Obama was his state senator, and now represents him in Washington.

"Yeah, he's got experience. But what we don't need right now is someone who's real good at playing the game in Washington. We need someone who can change the game. And I believe he can do that," Charlie said.

"And he knows working people. I wish the rest of the country would learn that about him. He was there helping people when the steel mills closed. He understands what it's like. And he's good for unions, especially for organizing more. And we need to organize or we won't grow."

Our first stop was 7:45 a.m. at the UPS Hammond Center, and most of the Teamsters I spoke with felt the same way.

At previous UPS visits, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa greeted drivers on their way into work. This time, however, we were greeted by a group of enthusiastic members. The trucks were already pre-positioned when we pulled up in the Local 703 "War Wagon" as Charlie calls it. General President Hoffa was riding shotgun as we pulled in, horn blowing and siren blaring. This thing sounds like an ambulance on steroids.

The members waved their "Teamsters for Obama" signs, and as soon as the van stopped they mobbed Hoffa wanting handshakes and snapshots.

As Hoffa shook hands and posed with members, I spoke to a few of UPS drivers. Janet Josway is a steward and a Teamster for 10 years. She wore an Obama button next to her Teamster pin. "I'm very excited about the level of involvement here," she said. "Finally it feels like our votes here in Indiana will matter. And the climate is ripe for change."

Her feeling was that most of her co-workers were going to vote for Obama and that this corner of the state was pretty well sewn up for him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see an older man in a UPS uniform -- your typical working class older white male (to listen to the pollsters, everything Obama voters are not). His name was Tony Munoz, a 43-year Teamster. I asked him if he had made up is mind about the election and he gave me a "c'mon now" disapproving look like I should already know the answer. "The Teamsters endorsed Obama. I'm a Teamster."

The next stop was Local 142 for a rally. Hoffa would speak along with the mayor and a few other local officials. Again, Hoffa was mobbed by camera wielding Teamsters. When the rally started, the General President got the crowd fired up.

"We have had the worst eight years with George Bush in the White House. Thank goodness he's going home soon," Hoffa said. "We have $3.80 gasoline, five years of war, a weak economy. It doesn't have to be this way. But it starts with us. We can change America. But you've got to believe it can change.

"In the end, you're not voting for Barack Obama, you're voting for yourself. You're voting for what the next eight years in America will be like. Will it be about enriching the wealthy, or will it be about fairness for the rest of us?"

Retiree Tom Michalski stood toward the back of the union hall. "A couple of years ago," he said, "I got to go to the Teamsters convention. I was standing in the corner and I hear a big ruckus coming down the hallway. It was Hoffa. The place was packed, and he just walked in, no bodyguards, nobody, you know, pushing people out of the way. But you know what? Those guys just parted ways for him. And he saw me standing in the corner wearing my retiree badge and he came over to me and shook my hand and said 'thank you for making my union strong.' That really spoke to me. I respect him more than any president of the United States."

Next Stop, Fort Wayne ...

Teamsters Thoughts on a Gas Tax Holiday?
The viewer poll this morning on CNN was the Gas Tax Holiday proposals: Which plan would you prefer - McCain's (summer break); Hillary's (pay for it with windfall profits) or Obama's (no holiday). After the first half-hour of the straw poll, the responses were 84% for Obama's no plan, which tells me that after eight years of George Bush's consumer-centric feel-good "solutions," Americans are wising up. To test my theory, I asked some Teamsters:

"I think that's nothing more than fluff. It's not a long-term solution to the problem. It may win a few votes, but that's about it." - Janet Josway, Teamster steward and member for ten years

"I don't see where it's going to do any good. We need to come up with a long-term solution. I think the costs are going to be more than the benefits. That money goes to fix the roads. I drive a truck I know what the roads are like and we can't afford not to fix them." - Matt Tchoukaleff, Pepsi driver, Teamster for 10 years.

"It won't make a difference. It's just a band aid." - Tom Michalski, Teamster retiree.