Ct-Sen Let the Shenanigans Begin!!

This is my first diary and I don't know what I'm doing, but I feel like I have to put this somewhere.

My husband was out poll-standing morning for Ned Lamont at an elementary school in Milford, Connecticut.  He showed up at 6:10 with his signs and little pass-out cards ready for a day of enthusiastic Nedrenaline.  I'm really excited about his enthusiasm, because before the first debate, he was on the fence, but after seeing both Ned and Joe in action, he has been 100% behind Ned.  

More...  

So my husband is the first one there, in the dark, in his little Ned Lamont watch cap and his "Stand Up For Change" t-shirt.  Right off the bat an old guy shows up and my husband said, "Hey!  I hope you'll consider voting for Ned Lamont today!" and the guy said, "I'm not voting for that guy!"  My husband thought, Bless his heart, as they say in Texas.  It was pretty quiet after that.  A volunteer for our State Senator, Gail Slossberg, was the only other one who showed up to stand there with him within the next hour.  

Then the fun began.  At around 7:00, a car pulled up and a woman wearing a suit got out.  A Fox News truck had been there all morning, and the woman began asking the Fox News cameraman where to place the signs to keep them in the frame.  They started putting out Joe signs right in front of the Lamont signs.  Around 7:15 a car with Massachusetts plates and an "I'm with Joe" bumper sticker showed up and put up about 30 signs.  Cars with New York plates and Joe bumper stickers were pulling up all over the place.  My husband stepped inside to get on his cell to call the Lamont people to tell them what was going on.

When he came back around 7:30 it was PANDEMONIUM!  A black town car with Connecticut plates and the tag number 2 pulled up--you may know this one--pulled up and out stepped Joe, shaking hands with Jim Amann, a Milford resident, and, I'm so ashamed to say, Speaker of the House in Connecticut.  What a douchebag.  Other people had shown up seemingly from nowhere:  two firemen from Stamford in yellow t-shirts, fawning Fans of Joe with hands for him to shake, including a typical Mom & Pop straight from Central Casting, and, oh, here he comes, the symbol of our inability to locate Joe for the last six years--the bloodhound!!!  After they'd set up this typical Milford scene, they proceeded to interview Joe on Fox & Friends.  At least he chose a hard-hitting venue to get his message out.  After the taping was over, everyone dispersed, gotta go, and, my husband said, it was like one of those cartoons where the whirlwind leaves just a little piece of paper to flutter softly to the ground.  

As an aside, my husband told me that not a few people said to him while this was going on that while it was fun to shake a Senator's hand, they were voting for Ned.

Aw what the heck, it's my first diary, let's do a poll:    

•  What did your husband do with all those

  prop "I Love Joe" signs? Like Joe, they gotta go.

  by pucklady on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:31:44 AM PDT

  •  That's gotta be bordering

    on illegal.

    by Stand Strong on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:32:53 AM PDT

    •  I hope someone caught it on tape

      or cell phone camera..

      Here are lovely Joe stories the MEDIA will never report.. Personally, I don't understand lamont's team turning the other cheek on every slime ball approach joementum uses... YOu all will vomit when you see the tv coverage today of lieberman.

      Anonymous said...
      sooo, volunteering at one of the polls this early morning in Milford stands a walking sandwich board teen, his board says Vote for Joe. A Democratic supporter asks hey kid where do you go to school? He replies: Amity...Democratic supporter asks What are you doing down here in Milford. Amity teen replies I am taking a political science course and have to stand here from 6 to 6 for the class. Democratic supporter asks so why did you choose Lieberman to support. Amity teen replies; "Well we were told that Joe's campaign was really the only campaign that had enough work for us to do throughout the campaign and we have to put in a lot of hours in order to get a good grade" He says this in the presence of both Democratic and Republican volunteers standing on both sides of the sidwalk...in unison we look at each other speechless at first, and then in unison state: 'That's not right' It's not very often Republican and Democratic volunteers agree and on Election day no less! Strong arming students to work for a party of one is appalling.

      9:46 AM

      Just got back from my poll-standing shift in the Valley. Yes, everybody is doing it. It’s all hands on deck today and it feels good …

      So, I was in the Valley. That’s a part of CT not necessarily expected to be a treasure trove of votes for change. Anyway, I admittedly arrived a little bit late (was sending out a mass email for volunteers) with my Lamont gear and assumed my place about 80 feet away from the front door.

      There was a nice middle-aged lady there wearing a Joe sandwich board that indicates his crossword puzzle-like positioning on the ballot. Maybe it’s just me, but I reminded of the fact that he LOST everytime I see his voter education tools.

      I struck up a conversation with the Joe supporter and asked what time she arrived. She said, “I got here at 5:30. People in this part of Connecticut are early risers.” “Oh,” I responded, “Where are you from?”

      Her answer … “D.C.” It was pretty funny. I chuckled. She is one of Joe’s staffers on the Homeland Security Committee.

      Note to future campaigns:  always expose slime by the opposition. the media will not willingly do it for you.

      

      by EdwardsRaysOfSunshine on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:41:04 AM PDT

      •  It depends

        Note to future campaigns:  always expose slime by the opposition. the media will not willingly do it for you.

        It depends.  If the shenanigans are on the part of outsiders, then you can be sure the media will be all over it.  They only cover up for the existing establishment.

        by ActivistGuy on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:05:46 AM PDT

        •  asdf

          Back home for a quick refresher (0.00 / 0)
          Been at the polls from 6:00 to 11:00 -- steady stream for our little corner in the Northeastern hills.  More experienced folks are saying that the voter turn-out is heavier than a Presidential election so far.
          Removal of Democratic lawn signs remains unabated... At 6:30 put up four signs on one of the town dem's private property, by 10:00 they'd been taken down.

          Lots of strangers walking up and thanking us for being there and working on the campaign.  Don't know nuttin, but it seems many more Lamont voters and people who are voting because "things got to change in Washington."

          My favorite quote from a woman leaving the polls... "It was like this religious experience!"  -- She voted Lamont.

          Another favorite:  "I think that's the first time in my life I ever voted straight D."

          by: cho @ Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 11:04:40 AM EST
          [ Reply ]

          by EdwardsRaysOfSunshine on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:09:32 AM PDT

    •  Maybe, but as they were only props anyway

      We learn from them - do the bad thing first. Then apologize if you get caught. Besides, they aren't real signs. They were only props for the camera. In fact, JoeCo should have removed them when they left. Video people always have to clean up their trash after a shoot.

      by pucklady on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:53:40 AM PDT

    •  Bro, you shoulda seen what I saw this AM

      McCloskey and I went to the polling place, the school at 51st and Greenway.

      Woman sitting at a desk in the lobby tells us what room to go to, and then says as we walk down the hall, "We could really use a vote for Swann!"  RIGHT IN THE POLLING PLACE.  McCloskey tells her, "I'll vote for him. For the Football Hall of Fame."

      So we go in and the GOP election judge is there. I know it's her because LAST election, as she showed me into the voting booth, she pointed to a name on the bottom of the ballot and said "That's my name.  I'm running for re-election, and I hope you'll vote for me."  IN THE BOOTH ITSELF.

      I can't wait for this day to be over.  It's giving me the heebie-jeebies.

      by Frenchy Lamour on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:34:15 AM PDT

      •  Report that shit!

        Call your county clerk, your elections board, your local media, your district attorney, your attorney general ...

        by leftilicious on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:43:19 AM PDT

  •  He had to take a break

    to go to the dentist (!) but I imagine when he goes back there will be some rearranging...one thing I forgot to mention was that someone from the Lamont campaign showed up after he called them, and is there while my husband is gone.  Maybe they'll redecorate...

    by theark on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:35:14 AM PDT

    •  I wore my Ned button to the dentist this a.m.

      The hygenist was undecided/leaning Ned when we started talking.  After 5 minutes she was a definite Ned.  :)

      I'm heading off to vote now (first time using optical scan), then off to CT-01 HQ.  I'll be poll standing in East Windsor later on and calling in the vote from that precinct to Lamont HQ when the polls close at eight.

      I have no special insight on the outcome today, but I am very hopeful.

      by lurks a lot on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 09:50:26 AM PDT

•  thanks for the report

  from the frontlines.  I certainly hope the voters of CT see through Joe's crap!

  by BlueInARedState on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:31:49 AM PDT

  •  REC THIS DIARY

    we need as many people to know how Joementum operates and what he stands for.

    by EdwardsRaysOfSunshine on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:42:21 AM PDT

•  Geez

  Not surprised.

  But you're husbands kind of a jerk:

  My husband thought, Ah, yer gonna die soon anyway

  I do hope your husband realizes that the elderly vote is critical in all elections.

  by als10 on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:32:36 AM PDT

  •  Actually, it was funnier in the telling

    because he made the guy sound really mean.  He said it with a wink, trust me -- we love seniors! (We're almost seniors!)

    by theark on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:39:51 AM PDT

    •  I know, I know

      I wasn't really accusing you both of hating seniors.

      by als10 on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:43:50 AM PDT

      •  Actually if it makes you feel better

        my husband followed that thought with, "I am going straight to hell."

        by theark on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:28:21 AM PDT

        •  A 4 for the trip

          since I can't send pie ;o)

          by smokem2271 on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:33:13 AM PDT

    •  Please accept my thanks and appreciation

      to you and your husband for your efforts to support Ned at the polling location. I'm sure it was not easy to get up at 5am and race off to the polls.

      Great story too. I can just picture the tiny piece of paper settling to the ground after the whirlwind. I'm sure Joe's next stop was the lobbyist war room to watch voting results and collect his bribes.

      by CitizenOfEarth on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:50:29 AM PDT

    •  please consider removing that anecdote?

      I loved this diary! But.

      I cannot recommend the diary with this "joke" in the body. I still don't get it, either. How does the fact he is going to die soon make the reader feel better about him not supporting Ned Lamont?

      If I were looking for dirt to smear Lamont supporters or Democrats in general, that anecdote is perfect.

      by tamiO on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:35:26 AM PDT

  •  Um

    I don't think that was serious.

    Humor will get us through this long, long day.

    by mffarrow on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:39:53 AM PDT

    •  Dude, I know

      It just caught me off guard with its blatant insensitivity.  I caught the joke.

      I'm not an idiot mffarrow!  I swear!

      by als10 on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:42:50 AM PDT

      •  Dude, I should take my own advice :)

        Humor will get us through this long, long day.

        How many more hours?

        by mffarrow on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:05:36 AM PDT

•  Poll standing rules

  I was in New Haven from 6AM to 9:30.  We were doing very well where I was (Conte West).

  The lieberyouth showed up quite a bit later and it was quite telling to see people's reactions.  there were a lot more pro-Lamont folks than pro-Lieberman folks.  We're going to do well in New Haven.

  -Zen Blade

  by Zen Blade on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:35:03 AM PDT

•  I'll recommend

  your first diary if only for the term "Nedrenaline." Love that.

  by leftilicious on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:36:54 AM PDT

•  What I probably would have done

  Go over, take the Lamont sign out of the ground, and place next to (not in front of) Lieberman sign.  If they try again, make a scene.

  by dumbruss on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:47:27 AM PDT

  •  We're going back this afternoon

    so it will be interesting to see what the situation is.  Interestingly, Joe said he'd be back as well...

    by theark on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:49:45 AM PDT

•  GREAT debut diary

  Theark, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

  by richter on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:51:42 AM PDT

  •  Seconded. Nice start indeed! :) nt

    by Clive all hat no horse Rodeo on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:08:59 AM PDT

•  Typical "Potemkin" politics

  I was covering a poll in Manchester NH on primary day in 1980, rather a quiet and light voting area for what was a highly contested election on both sides.  There were just a few of us there covering the poll, someone from the Kennedy campaign, a couple from the Bush camp, and myself working for Jerry Brown.  A couple of LaRouchies had been there briefly as well, and their presence had done wonders to bond the rest of us together.  (After that interlude, every time the Kennedy truck came by the Kennedy guy made sure the rest of us got coffee, and at least one time fed.)

  Suddenly, in the quiet of the early afternoon, all hell broke loose.  Several full size vehicles, police cruisers, a van, a limousine, and a bus pulled up in a huge caravan  Cops, media types with cameras and microphones, and various suits spilled out of the other vehicles and formed concentric circles around the limousine.  Slowly the whole circus began to migrate in our direction, still holding its circular shape as media types backed their way toward us.  One of the suits looked at those of us standing with our signs, and after a look of horror, pulled out a walkie-talkie.  A woman who had remained in the van suddenly came running out of it holding a Reagan sign and stood next to our little group of poll standers, just as the snakeball reached us, and we could see that at the center of the ring was indeed Ronald Reagan.  Reagan shook her hand, and thanked her for her "hard work", while the cameras clicked and whirred.  Then Reagan turned around and worked his way back toward the limo, still surrounded by the horde.  As soon as Reagan had gotten back in the limo, the woman took her Reagan sign and got back in the van.

  That's just the way big-time politics is.

  by ActivistGuy on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:53:02 AM PDT

•  isn't it illegal

  for faux to be putting up campaign materials?

  It reminds me of how Bush slapped "made in the USA" stickers on imported Chinese goods at a 2004 rally.

  by zenbowl on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 07:55:14 AM PDT

  •  you missed

    a signing statement or two or you have a pre-9/11 mindset.

    by Euroliberal on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:26:06 AM PDT

•  It will be interesting to see...

  It seems like the Valley towns and Stratford, Milford and West Haven all broke for Joe in the primary, it will be interesting to see if Joe continues to receive good numbers there against Lamont or is hurt by Alan Schlesinger (who is from Derby).

  by dumbruss on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:41:25 AM PDT

•  Democrats voting for Ned

  I have a funny feeling that despite the intensity of the campaign some people dont get that Joe isn't a Democrat. There is a real "straight ticket" instinct in some people to ALWAYS vote their party, no matter what.

  by Mikesco on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 08:44:59 AM PDT

•  great diary!

  by hartford for lamont on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 09:45:07 AM PDT