What I Learned Canvassing in Allentown, PA This Weekend

After a successful canvassing experience last weekend in Piscataway, NJ, I was fully prepared to take my enthusiasm to Allentown, PA.  I completely underestimated the differences between canvassing in a pro-Obama community versus being in a much more conservative area.  It was a very educational experience.  This is what I learned:

~Remain positive-Even though it is difficult to stay positive and upbeat after having people yell at you or slam the door in your face, you have to otherwise you will not be able to canvass.  I reminded myself that so many people who had this reaction are frustrated, scared, and overwhelmed by the current political situation.  They need to see a positive face from you.  They will remember that and, perhaps, not slam the door on the next Obama canvasser.  

~Know when to speak and when to listen-Many people don't just want to hear a spiel, they want to discuss what is important to them.  Listen to them and validate their concerns.  Be prepared to explain how Obama is addressing those concerns and, if you don't know, refer them to his website.  And let them hear your story.  Many actually do want to know why you are walking for hours in the rain or heat to talk to them on their doorsteps.  They want to have that personal connection.  This could mean the difference between them voting for Obama or not.  And in battleground states, we need every vote we can get.

~The Power of Thanks-Thank every person for their time.  They didn't have to open the door.  They didn't have to talk to you or take your literature.  But they did.  And even if they aren't supporting Obama, thank them anyway.  Make the positive impression.  Be the bigger person.  And for those of us volunteering our time, we appreciate the coordinators thanking us, even though we are giving our time gladly and aren't looking for praise.  It meant so much to me when coordinators thanked me for my work.  It was genuine and I appreciated that.  Simple but powerful.

~Partnership is Imperative-Have a fellow canvasser with you.  You can support each other through the experience and it helps to have an ally when you are dealing with a hostile person.  And it makes it easier to walk for hours when you have a like-minded, passionate person to talk  to.  Your partners will inspire you.  I know mine did.

~Never Make an Assumption About Anyone-If you are in a battleground state, never assume that because the person you are talking to is a Democrat they are voting for Obama.  Likewise for people listed as Republicans.  People will surprise you.  Age, ethnicity, gender:  do not make any assumptions based on these things.  Start fresh talking to each person as an individual.  And you may experience racism that startles you.  I never realized how insulated I was from public displays of racism until this weekend.  I was not prepared for it and it shocked me.  I realized that you really do not know how pervasive this is until you get people talking.

~Undecided Voters are NOT Lost Causes-They can make or break this election.  Talk to them for as long as they will let you.  Find out what is on their minds and tell them why Obama is the really the candidate for them.  They will frustrate you because of the indecision but don't be daunted.  Hang in there.  You can help them make the right decision.  My partners and I spent lots of time with undecided voters and made the difference in several cases.  I am really proud of that.

~The Ends Justify the Means-This weekend I spent two days canvassing and missed out on the family time that I live for.  The other volunteers I met this weekend did the same.  We chatted about our families, what they were doing while we were working, what we were missing out on or going home to.  We all felt some sense of loss at missing out on those moments but I don't think any of us would change a thing.  We did this for our families because our families deserve better.  We did this because we were able to find the time and understand that so many other people would be out there if they could.  They were with us in spirit.  My children understood that I will be at other soccer games or bake with them another weekend.  This weekend was dedicated to their future and they will understand that one day when they are older.  

~Obama Supporters Are Amazing-They are from all walks of life.  They never turn down a chance to help this cause.  They canvassed, they trained volunteers, they made phone calls, they housed fellow volunteers, and they cooked enough food to feed the army that worked this weekend.  They are inspirational.  And they are all of us.  

I am proud to have worked with the incredible people in Allentown this weekend.  Knowing that dedicated volunteers like these are working all over the country reinforces my hope.  I have never been more confident that Obama will win this election.  

Canvassing in Piscataway, pt. 1

I feel energized and encouraged after canvassing for Obama today.  I spoke to about 50+ people, all of whom are voting for Obama.  Among the highlight conversations:

~the man who told me that he brought his sons to register to vote and was bringing them to the polls for their first election too

~the woman who said that she has been canvassing on her own, talking to neighbours, co-workers, and everyone who "needs convincing" to vote for the right man

~the woman who asked how she could start volunteering too

~the young woman who said, "I made my boyfriend register and I told him I'd dump him if he didn't vote for Obama."

~the woman who asked me, "Who ELSE would I be voting for?"

There was not one McCain supporter that I could find in the neighbourhood I went to.  But better than that was the passion that these people had for supporting Barack.  Their enthusiasm was infectious and I was happy to know that they were voting, talking to friends and family to get them to vote too, and were confident that Obama would win the election without question. 

There were only 2 people I met who were on the fence and I think I convinced them to vote for Obama after we had a chance to talk about their concerns.  This is really why the door-to-door approach is so important.  We need to get out there and talk to people individually.  It is the best way to address their concerns, ease their fears, and answer their questions to help them make informed decisions.  

This was a wonderful experience and I look forward to doing more canvassing and talking to more voters in the upcoming weeks and getting Obama elected.  

Convert the Republicans You Love

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished by how much he'd learned in seven years."  -Mark Twain

My father was a Republican.  There I said it.  Shameful but true.  The man voted for Nixon and Reagan twice each and was proud to tell the world about it.  He told me when I was 8 years old that Ronald Reagan would "save the world."  It hurts to even type that.  At 8, he had me convinced.  My Dad was a hero to me and would NEVER tell me anything that was untrue.  Wrong.

I never thought I'd change my Dad's mind about anything, least of all politics.  He had never even considered voting for anyone who wasn't a Republican.  By the time I was 16 and had more experience to draw on, I became a Democrat like my Mom.  He dubbed me his "pinko, commie, pablum-puking, bleeding-heart liberal daughter" who knew that my mother brainwashed me and condemned me to a life of hand-wringing, whining, and a protest arrest sheet.  I countered by telling him that "I'd rather have a bleeding heart than no heart at all" and that he, along with the Republican party, couldn't possibly care about their fellow Americans when they were so busy being concerned only with themselves.  Ouch.  We took each other's criticism and jibes as best we could but never stopped debating the state of our Union.

I was shocked to learn that my father voted for Bill Clinton in 1992.  That was the first presidential election I voted in and knew that I was one of the people that helped turn the tide.  Clinton would change our nation for the better and I was proud to vote for him.  Still glad that I did.  When my Dad confessed that he'd voted for Clinton too, I realized something:  it IS possible to change people's minds, even the most conservative, dug-in Republicans out there like my Dad.  I asked him what changed his mind and he told me that it was our conversations and arguments.  My reason and passion won him over.  I was able to prove to him that, after 12 years of Republican presidents, our country couldn't take much more and Clinton was the fresh air that American needed.  

We need to rally our Republican friends and family members who are ready for the next breath of fresh air.  It is possible to change their minds.  We need them now because this election is so important.  Our nation is hanging precariously in the balance and we need to tip the scales and let Obama and Biden do their jobs as President and Vice-President.  Reason, passion, and truth.  These are the best weapons in our arsenal.

Everything Old is the Same Old Shit

John McCain leaves so much to be desired in a candidate it's difficult to choose what to criticize first.  But I'll try.

His acceptance speech tonight showed the energy of the 2000 McCain.  He was passionate and spoke with conviction.  Unfortunately he is passionate and has conviction for the same old shit we've been hearing for years.  He outlined all the problems that we have in our country, from healthcare to reliance on foreign oil to failing schools and partisan politics.  Can't argue there.  Those are some huge problems.  What he failed to mention is WHY our country is in the mess we are in.  It was his party that exacerbated so many of these problems over the past eight years.  Worse is that his promises to create "change" are the same promises we heard from George Bush in 2000 and 2004.  Again, it is just the same talking points from the Republicans.  Why are people falling for this?  What has to happen to make people realize that McCain, Bush, and their kind have no idea about how Americans are suffering and have no intention of fixing any of the problems we are having as a nation?

A vote for McCain does not make you a rebel or free-thinker.  It does not mean lower taxes for you, unless you are already a millionaire.  It does not mean a cleaner environment or new energy sources.  It does not improve your kids schools, your sense of safety, or your pride in calling yourself an American.  A vote for McCain means that you accept the nation as it is and are happy with it.  But if you are in any way dissatisfied, feel disenfranchised, or are wondering what happened to your nation, your choice is clear.   

Republicans, Have You No Shame?

Dear Republicans,

Have you no shame at all?  Does nothing embarrass you?  

Watching the RNC tonight was an eye-opener.  The crazed evangelical ramblings of Mitt Romney were enlightening although paled in comparison to the comedic stylings of Rudy Guiliani and Sarah Palin.  Who knew that Rudy and Sarah were so hilarious?  Good news for Palin, I suppose, in case that VP job doesn't pan out.  

During the DNC, Republicans were not insulted for their efforts.  Democratic speakers took the time to acknowledge the positive qualities that John McCain offers as a candidate.  Unfortunately, the Republicans can not say the same.  Both Guiliani and Palin spent much of their time at the podium insulting and degrading Barack Obama for the work that he has done.  Guiliani went so far as to encourage the crowd of Republican head-bobbers to laugh at Obama's community organizing, laughing while they chanted "Zero" when asked about Obama's experience.  Since this is the party of Christians, tell me Republicans, is this what Jesus would have you do?  Mock other people?  Insult people who work for the greater good to improve the lives of disenfranchised people?  

Because neither McCain or Palin have anything to offer to the American people in terms of improving the sad state of our nation, they had little to say beside the snide comments and sarcastic insults of  the truly desperate.  When you have no fresh ideas, when you have no clue as to how to fix what's broken, when you are completely overwhelmed and under-qualified, you turn to childish defensiveness.  The shame of it all.

Republicans, I know some of you do feel shame.  It's time to do the right thing and vote for Barack Obama, someone you don't have to be ashamed of.  Vote for the right candidate.  You have everything to gain, specifically your pride.

Why I Am Ready to Renounce My Citizenship if Barack Obama is NOT Elected President

Like so many Americans, I am disgusted by what has happened to my country in the past eight years.  After shanghaiing our government, the Bush administration has managed to decimate the economy, falsely lead our troops into a war, neglect and endanger American citizens, and damage our country's image throughout the world.  And all that in such a short period of time.  The only praise I can give this administration is on how quickly they have managed the bring the United States to its knees.  

For the first time in my life I can honestly say that I am ashamed of my government.  This government DOES NOT represent me or my values.  And it is my great hope that the people in other nations can look past what the Bush administration does and know that it is operating independently of logic and of the desire of most Americans, hence the 75% disapproval rating.

However, as a closet optimist, I have hope.  My hope lies with the American people.  They must be seeing what I'm seeing.  They must know that we can not continue on the path we are on.  Because of this, I am voting for Barack Obama and am encouraging others to do the same.  Anyone who is ready to take on the mess that our nation is in and has the ideas and desire to get the job done is someone to be reckoned with.  He is, very simply, the right person at the right time for this difficult undertaking.

There are only 2 possibilities that I can see that will prevent Obama from being elected: 

 

1)  The election process in our country is so corrupt that the Republican Party can steal 3 elections in a row, or

2)  There is still so much racism in our country that there is no way for a decent human being to be elected because people are still hung-up on the color of his skin.

As I said, I am a closet optimist and, therefore, am convinced that Obama will decisively win and the United States will be better off for it.  However, if he doesn't, I am ready to renounce my citizenship.  I can't stay in a nation that is completely corrupt, completely racist, or both.  I don't want to raise my children in a nation that has lost its ideals and can't live up to its promises.  

So, for now, I am hopeful.  I think that Americans can see how their lives have been negatively effected for too long and that it's time for a change in the direction of our nation's politics.  If I am wrong and Obama loses, then it is a bust for this country and I refuse to stick around and watch the inevitable decline.  I doubt I will be the only one ready to leave.