UPDATED BELOW
I thought I'd put out a report of what is happening here on the ground in Montana - Missoula to be specific. Today Missoula residents were greeted by the morning paper with a wrap from the NRA, endorsing Conrad Burns.
That really motivated people.
The Tester office downtown was swamped with volunteers who were lined up outside before the place even opened. That meant we got ahead of schedule with calls and door hanger distribution. That was a very good thing.
By late afternoon, the campaign workers were lining up additional volunteers for tomorrow, and getting ahead on organization for tomorrow. Hell, they might even have time for a beer or two before tomorrow's big day (see hint below, people!)
These guys and gals here are tired - very tired - and very very motivated. I've never been prouder to volunteer for a candidate like
Jon Tester, and that has a lot to do with the caliber of people he has running his office here in Missoula. Kids that have taken a semester off of school, putting there education on hold to volunteer for Jon Tester. People who have spent 18 hours a day for weeks on end getting the job done. My hope is that Montanans around the state deliver for
Jon Tester and these kids - because none deserve it more than them.
For the most part, I've spent the last 2 months or so doing 'persuasion' calls. Today I was calling undecided voters, and those turned out pretty well. I had more than a few on the phone that started out with "Oh, honey, we're republican", to which I'd say "well, I know plenty of republicans voting for Jon Tester", and then open up the conversation. I swayed a few today, and dozens in the last two months - and in a state where every single vote is going to matter, I hope I've made a difference. I would not have been able to do those hundreds of persuasion calls that I have made without the help of websites like Daily Kos and leftinthewest and 4&20blackbirds and IntelligentDiscontent, who have kept me much more informed than the average voter - and gave me the confidence to do those calls knowing that I knew Jon Tester.
I hope people like MontanaMaven and MTmofo and hold tight are around - I'd like to update this diary with field reports from their locals and any other that fellow Dkos'ers have to offer.
It all comes down to one day, one vote. Get out and vote tomorrow. Volunteer. Deliver those kids at your favorite candidate's office some food, cause it's going to be a long night at those offices around the nation folks...you might even consider dropping by and delivering a 12 pack or two, depending on the time - I'm sure (I KNOW) they'd appreciate it!
UPDATE:MontanaMaven reports below that things are looking GREAT in Park County Montana - which is on the northern end of Yellowstone National Park and just east of the wonderful city of Bozeman. Ranch Country, conservative basion - and, apparently, looking like Tester Country. Good news - I think MontanaMaven would agree, we're all holding our breath, just waiting for the fresh air!!!