Like opposing teams staring eachother down at the line of scrimmage, Paul Hackett's campaign headquarters sits face to face across Main Street with the Clermont County Republican Party. I just arrived in Ohio's Second Congressional District about three hours ago, and after meeting much of the local staff I took a walk around the neighborhood that can be best described as something out of an old wild west movie. Batavia, Ohio has quite an old time feel, a bail bondsman neighbors Republican Party HQ, the Clermont Inn is packed with locals enjoying a drink and a good time, and employees at the little Italian-style restaurant down the street are working overtime to accomodate the business boom a seriously contested special election has created--the first seriously contested election here in decades.
Cross-posted from Grow Ohio
It's about 8:00 now, and Hackett's office is jumping. Volunteers and staffers are preparing for a massive canvass that begins tomorrow and hopes to hit over 40,000 doors by the time election day rolls around next Tuesday. This is in stark constrast to the Republican Party HQ across the street, where the final two staffers closed shop and locked up moments ago. At it's peak, there had to be around 15-20 individuals working collectively towards a common goal--to elect a Democrat to this congressional seat for the first time in a long, long, long time.
A number of groups are represented at campaign HQ. Demetrius Gorham from the Ohio Democratic Party is among those leading the charge in organizing the canvass. The Democratic National Committee, Congressman Sherrod Brown, and Max Cleland all have staff working alongside those who have carried this campaign for months.
I had an occassion to meet the candidate for a few minutes earlier today as well. He shook my hand about three times as we talked about the impact Blogosphere Day has had in taking the effort to heights previously unimagined by most. I also sat down with the Campaign Manager, David Woodruff, who was beside himself with enthusiam about the way in which the netroots responded to the challenge three days ago. We spoke for several minutes about tapping into a the extraordinary amount of excitement there is for the campaign online. I also have full-access to get video, audio, and still photographs while I am on-the-ground.
So please, check back here and at the OH-2 blog for up-to-the-minute reporting as this race makes it way down the stretch. Three things before I go.
1.) Paul Hackett wanted me to thank all of you for the support you have given his campaign. The smile on his face uncovered a Marine overwhelming by the enormous amount of support in the past days and weeks. I will have video with the candidate during the week, for sure.
2.) If you can make it down to SW Ohio any day this week, or number of days (especially election day next Tuesday), please email Patrick at campaign HQ (info@hackettforcongress.com).
3.) Of course, you can contribute HERE.
More coming each and every day, Grow Ohio.