Canvassed in Virginia Today
I'm 43. I've never volunteered for a political campaign before. The most I've ever done is have a yard sign - and that was for a Congressional race.
Today, I canvassed for the Obama campaign in Northern Virginia - Loudon County. After that experience, I feel that we have a real shot at turning Virgnia blue this year.
Of the people we talked to today - the vast majority were strong or leaning Obama. Granted - this was a very small sample, but finding such a small number of McCain voters in a red state was surprising.
Many of the people were thrilled to find that we were out. One man we talked to said, when we asked him his party, and said he was a strong Democrat, said "I'm a Democrat out here in a sea of Republicans..." I was happy to let him know that he wasn't alone. He brought his elderly mother to the door - she's recently moved in with him, and he's taking her down to the DMV to get her registered. One more for Obama in Virginia!
Today, I canvassed for the Obama campaign in Northern Virginia - Loudon County. After that experience, I feel that we have a real shot at turning Virgnia blue this year.
Of the people we talked to today - the vast majority were strong or leaning Obama. Granted - this was a very small sample, but finding such a small number of McCain voters in a red state was surprising.
Many of the people were thrilled to find that we were out. One man we talked to said, when we asked him his party, and said he was a strong Democrat, said "I'm a Democrat out here in a sea of Republicans..." I was happy to let him know that he wasn't alone. He brought his elderly mother to the door - she's recently moved in with him, and he's taking her down to the DMV to get her registered. One more for Obama in Virginia!
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Fabulous! That is very good news. I'm in Seattle which is very strong for Obama so it's hard for me to get a read on what people are thinking elsewhere. I also have never volunteered for a campaign before but I've been putting time in almost every day lately to get voters registered. We gotta win this thing!
September 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live in Loudoun. My experience with canvassing was very different. Not only is my neighborhood extremely Republican, but most people were annoyed and suspicious by my knocking on their door, or even walking through the neighborhood. There is no sense of community here in Ashburn. It is a pop-up suburban sprawl type of community, and no one knows each other. So community outreach is met with this kind of reaction.
On the bright side, a neighbor two doors down has put up an Obama sign in their yard. They were not on my walk list.
September 29, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow.. I love this community! I live in Loudoun as well (Sterling) and I've been out canvasing for Obama a few times this summer as well. I'm in my 30's and had never taken a truly active roll in politics until now. I also had great success in my conversation with people in the Sterling area.
Anecdotally of course, but the bumper sticker ratio is wall off the charts this year in favor of Obama and that is certainly a change from the last 8 years in my neighborhood. I also have yet to see a single McCain yard sign in my area.
September 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for all of you - way to get Virginia to go blue! I grew up in Northern VA (Fairfax County) and live farther south in VA now. I'm so excited that Albemarle County seems to be headed Democratic!
September 29, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I did voter registration in VA a few weekends ago and it was a positive experience. A lot of excitement. But here in true blue Maryland, someone tore my Obama sticker off my car while I was in the Safeway. No problem, I just put another one on. There are pockets of red in MD and pockets of blue in VA. I know MD is in the bad for Obama and I really believe VA is as well, and NC!
September 29, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
in the BAG
September 29, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do this in Missouri and I love hearing stories of other folks doing this. Keep up the great work! Your not alone!
September 29, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for your hard work. This is the first
election that I have canvassed for, and I was VERY nervous starting out. It has been a great experience, and every new voter that I sign up makes me so happy and HOPEFUL for the future.
My neighborhood is so red I have to go elsewhere, but by going to young people and those who have felt hopeless in prior elections that is where the new voters are.
September 29, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement. I'll be back out next weekend for sure, and maybe this weekend also.
September 29, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep the faith. We are going to win this. I am so sure of that now. Thanks for your hard work!!
September 29, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for your work! I canvassed in tidewater Virginia. I also had a very positive experience. A couple of McCain voters, but everyone was polite, and it was fantastic to meet fellow Obama supporters--by far outnumbering McCain voters among the people the Obama campaign directed us.
I loved the organization of the campaign: very targeted. We didn't have to bother with strong Obama or strong McCain houses. Very efficient.
I still will be stunned if Obama wins VA, it just doesn't make sense that VA could go from Bush over Kerry by 8% in 2004 to Obama in 2008, but we're working on it!
September 29, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's a stronger candidate than Kerry, and McCain's weaker than Bush (was). I could see a 10%+ shift in VA easy. More Dems now, too. Turnout's the thing.
September 29, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
NC is even more shocking. 14 points for Bush with a native senator on the ticket but trenidng blue QUICKLY. I live in NY so I just make calls whenever I get the chance and I donate and even at my job (work at the library) I have my coworkers donating money so it's really great to hear there are so many people working hard for a greater cause than them. Keep up the good work.
September 29, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm canvassing in the reddest county (until this year) in Illinois: DuPage. We're going to win it this year for Obama and Scott Harper who is going to retire 71 year old Judy Biggert. Incredibly she was on the local NPR station saying she voted against the bailout bill today because it didn't "beef" up the FBI to investigate mortgage fraud.
I'm sure she's telling what's left of her racist base that the Wall St. meltdown can be blamed on minorities buying houses, which btw is a complete fallacy.
September 29, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink