To see where I was http://www.google.com/maps?f=q…
I cannot say “google Francestown Turnpike, Mt. Vernon, New Hampshire” because it is not in google. I had to find a way to create a link for it.
My partner for the day, JoeS, and I asked for a “motor route” because he has two artificial knees AND a hip replacement, and I had a hip replacement, so we figured a route with “drive between widely spaced houses” would be the ticket.
Little did we know we would be trail blazers in an area where we were told several times, “I am a lifelong NRA member” – though we only saw one brace of freshly killed pheasants.
We also ID’d several Obama voters [yes!], and had many conversations that lasted 10 minutes or longer [some seemed glad to have visitors to talk to].
We discussed Obama’s tax plans with small business owners, climbed boulders to houses without doorbells [of the 33 dwellings we visited, there were only three doorbells, as I recall], and met both lordly cats, and boisterous dogs, a busy sunny day of canvasing in the trees and hills.
Oh yes, we ate Kate’s birthday cake, and also had long conversations with one another over a leisurely dinner – and sang happy birthday to Kate, yet again.
Conclusion: a day well spent. Thank you, Kate. I find it hard to leave the many demands of my life – and admit I came home to unfolded laundry and every one else’s dishes – but it was still well worth going.
Charley and I canvassed in Brookline, NH for our second route of the day. Charley and Lynne had finished a complete route. I had been in the office and helped out on a route in Nashua.
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p>Mostly Charley and I were knocking on doors together because it was quite rural and the houses were pretty widely spaced. But a few times we split up and I spoke with a voter who was a registered Republican. He was an older gentleman and he looked like a typical long time NH resident.
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p>Well, I went up to the voter who was outside raking his lawn. I gave my usual line, “Hi, my name is Kate. (Stop to shake hands.) “I’m a volunteer with the NH Democratic Party. We’re out here today, talking with voters, seeing if you have had a chance to make a decision and asking for your vote.”
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p>His response was a slightly terse, “I’m all set.” Well, that didn’t leave me feeling hopeful.
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p>”So can we count on your vote for Barack Obama?”, I asked, expecting either a repeat of his “all set” response or McCain.
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p>To my surprise he said “Yes.” I’m not often surprised on a canvass, but I was on this one. I verified that he was also supporting Jeanne Shaheen, but was undecided on Congress. I got his e-mail address and phone number. I thanked him and was about move on. He then went on to say that McCain is a good man, but he disagrees with his choice for Vice President. He was clearly sincere and thoughtful.
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p>It made a big impression on me. Other Republicans with whom I spoke were also leaning towards voting Democratic. It has given me confidence that if we keep up our efforts we can win this.
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p>I went into a quite a bit of detail about the language that I use when I canvass. Charley liked it so I thought it worth sharing. I find that spiel above is very concise, and gets to the point quickly. I hear some canvassers say, “Who are you voting for?” That can sound intrusive. The question, “Have you had a chance to make a decision?” is more likely to get the information that the campaign needs. Shaking hands and asking for the vote are both important.
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p>Here is a quick trick on how to get an e-mail address. I always say, “What is the best e-mail address for us to reach you at?” Ask with confidence, as if of course the voter will give you the address. Get the person thinking, which address?
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p>The day was a lot of fun. The weather was gorgeous. The “Birthday Brunch” was fun. I more than hit the goal I set for how many volunteers I recruited.
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p>Dinner was fun. We had some great conversations. Charley and I had some discussion about the role that blogs can play.
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p>Thanks to all who volunteered.
I had been putting it off, but I’m glad I went.
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p>I did meet an enthusiastic supporter with a tepid husband who is looking for a got hope? bumper sticker. This woman’s got Hope. She’s a cute five year old I met.
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p>If anybody’s got an unused got hope? bumpah stickah and are willing to donate it, please let me know so we can mail it to my new friends on a lonely road in New Hampshire with beautiful views of the valley and it’s red, orange, yellow, and green leaves.
It was a great day yesterday, and inspirational to speak with so many Republicans who were voting Obama in the very Red and very wealthy town where I canvassed.
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p>And for those of you interested: Michelle Bachmann’s opponent-El Tinklenberg-has raised over $640,000 as of this morning thanks to her insane tirade on Hardball. This kind of activism may be a reaction to all the hate speech and smears of an ugly Presidential campaign. People are sick of it. Let’s hope it keeps backfiring on the Republicans.
Four years ago, my 50th birthday was right in the middle of the Kerry presidential election. I figured none of my friends would want to take time away from the election for a party. I myself didn’t want to take time away for a party. But a half century is special.
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p>So I decided to do a birthday canvass. I didn’t want to look pathetic. So I lined up five people before I announced it, figuring that I could rope in another five and that ten would be a respectable number. I was astonished and pleased when close to fifty people came. I said if only I had known, I would have made sure that I hit 50.
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p>Well, this year I’m not saying how old I am. But I am saying that I set a goal of getting 54 people to Nashua to volunteer on Sunday.
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p>We had also wanted to honor Lori’s memory. During the past four years BlueMassGroup has become a community. After Lori’s death we talked about a BMG canvass in her honor. We have also occasionally had BMG parties.
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p>So as it got near the election, I didn’t want to compete with the concert, so I waited until after the concert and it seemed to make sense to combine the efforts. In what someone described as very Druidian, it was a birthday celebration, memorial and BMG party rolled into one.
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p>What I realized four years ago, was that the birthday celebration worked for a couple of reasons.
1) It was a social occasion. We have a need for fellowship.
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p>2) As stomv and amberpaw indicated, volunteering in NH was something people want to do, but it’s hard to carve out a day from a busy life. A birthday canvass or BMG dinner is a reason to forget the errands and the dishes and just do it.
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p>So for those of you who are frustrated by the difficulties of recruiting volunteers, the points to keep in mind are have fun, make it social, be shameless in using what you have. And most of all, lead by example. Make it clear that you are willing to do what you are asking others to do.
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p>Thanks to all 54+ people who came to NH on October 19. It was an awesome and memorable way to celebrate my birthday.
and it was a pleasure canvassing with you. We were a very compatible team. And thanks to all of the group who are so welcoming to a relatively new member.
But I did canvass in NH the previous day, and couldn’t arrange to be free on Sunday.
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p>But on Saturday I did have some success, including a lengthy conversation with a life-long Republican who seemed pretty steamed at the way his party’s been headed over the last few years. Said several times during our conversation that “this country is broken”, and though Obama had a much better idea of how to fix things.
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p>McCain on the other hand (again, according to this Republican) just wants to cut taxes and get the country deeper and deeper in debt. “Why is it unpatriotic to pay taxes?” Maybe we might disagree on what exactly the government should do, but we have to pay for it. To do otherwise, or leave the bill for the next generation, just isn’t right.
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p>Seemed like a thoughtful and pissed-off guy. Get enough of those, and we’ve got it made.