I voted in the primary in my regular polling place in Oceanside, Long Island, and discovered that the inspectors did not have my name in their registry, even though I have voted as a registered Democrat at that location for over 25 years. After a brief conversation with the Nassau County Election Commission, who is a personal friend, I voted by affadavit (paper) ballot, as did my wife, who came down to vote an hour later.
Afterwards, I contacted campaign offices for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and was struck by the difference in the way my call was handled; possibly gaining insight into the nature of the candidates, their supporters and why they appeal to different voters.
I voted in the primary in my regular polling place in Oceanside, Long Island, and discovered that the inspectors did not have my name in their registry, even though I have voted as a registered Democrat at that location for over 25 years. After a brief conversation with the Nassau County Election Commission, who is a personal friend, I voted by affadavit (paper) ballot, as did my wife, who came down to vote an hour later.
Afterwards, I contacted campaign offices for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and was struck by the difference in the way my call was handled; possibly gaining insight into the nature of the candidates, their supporters and why they appeal to different voters.
I first called an Obama campaign office in Brooklyn since they did not have a Long Island number. The volunteer who answered the phone was upbeat and professional in his demeanor. He took my information and said he would relay it to an attorney who was looking into possible election irregularities. I know he followed up, because he called me by mistake a few moments later.
Then I called Clinton's New York State campaign headquarters since it was the only local number I could find on the campaign website. The person who answered seemed cold and disengaged. After I told her the nature of my call, she placed me on hold. Five minutes later, I was still on hold and hung up.
Volunteers are the front line of a political organization, just as customer service reps are the front line of a business enterprise or government agency. The experiences we have with them provide our first impressions.
That's reality, folks. Both volunteers are probably young people whose idealism has motivated them to back these two outstanding candidates. Perhaps the Obama volunteer seemed more motivated because of his candidate's momentum. But this is a long campaign in which no one's vote can be taken for granted. If Clinton's supporters cannot be energized on this potentially make-or-break day, this is not a sign of health for her campaign.
The choice Democrats have to make today is like picking between Eli Manning and his brother, Peyton. Both candidates are excellent and I will work for either of them in the general election. Just as in a football game, the outcome will be decided by the people on the front lines.