I thought I would share with everyone my experience today. Just to set the stage, I live in Harris County (Houston), Texas, deep in the HEART of the red state Texas. Up until recently, I attended the same church as Bush Sr. (couldn't stand the BC04 stickers in the parking lot anymore). And I am about as BLUE of a yellow-dog democrat as anyone can get, so you can imagine how "alone in the wilderness" I have been feeling here over the past several months. I just had to jettison my poker group because I was getting tired of all the flat heads spouting republican talking points.
Well, today was different. Inspired by kos, and some of the others on the board (you know who you are), I volunteered for the first time today at one of the Harris County Democratic Party satellite offices. This one is located in a shopping mall close to where I live. What happened after that was such a shot in the arm, I can only say to those in the battleground states, GET OUT THERE. IF I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE HERE IN TEXAS, YOU CAN TOO WHEREVER YOU LIVE!!!
Read on for more....
I got to the office shortly after it opened. I was greeted by the head volunteer who was thrilled and gave me a quick orientation. We have a demo electronic voting machine (e-slate) and she showed me how to give demos to prospective voters. The goal at this particular office is to help anyone stopping in there at the mall with early voting and to answer any other questions. We also handle yard signs, buttons, bumper stickers, etc.
The first person who came in the door wanted to offer a $20 donation. As instructed by the volunteer we were asking for their name to add to our voter lists. He was reluctant, but after a moment, he said he was from the "other side" (a republican) but wanted us to have the money because he was disgusted with Bush. IMAGINE THAT!!! A republican giving US MONEY!! We thanked him for his contribution and he was gone as quick as he came in. IT ONLY GOT BETTER FROM THERE. As the day wore on, we got more and more people coming in, testing out the e-slate, wanting to know where to vote, asking questions, complaining about Bush, it was absolutely magical. Suddenly, I was no longer alone, no longer a blue man in a red state. I was truly inspired, and I have already signed up for duty the rest of the week and through next Tuesday.
When I got home tonight, I saw the pictures from Philadelphia. WOW!!! This campaign is TAKING FIRE!! I am SO PUMPED. We can only make it better and we can't stop now!!!
I would like to thank everyone here who encouraged me to volunteer and get active. It was absolutely the best thing I could have done, and it has inspired me to do more. AND IF IT CAN WORK HERE IN TEXAS, THE HEART OF BUSH COUNTRY, IT CAN WORK WHERE YOU LIVE! If there are republicans here in Texas that despise Bush, could you imagine how many there are in Battleground states? Don't give up - don't let your guard down. We need all the votes we can get to show the right that they are wrong. America will not be taken over as a religious theocracy (check Salon War Room today) and we have to send a clear message to that effect.