I just did something I've never done before.
I knocked on my first door for Barack Obama.
It's a hot and humid Saturday in Durham, N.C., and part of me would rather spend the day inside watching some football. But I truly believe that the stakes are too high in this election to sit on the sidelines and let other people do the work. After too many days of wringing my hands about the media's obsession with Sarah Palin and too many questions from Obama-supporting friends who have been worried about the polls, I decided it was time to set the tone and kick into action!
I've always voted, but I've never gotten involved in a campaign before. You probably know the excuses. It was too much work, or I didn't have time. I was nervous about getting doors slammed in my face. I figured there were enough other people hitting the pavement, and no one would miss my effort.
But not this year. Not when we have soaring unemployment, scores of Americans losing their homes, and a stagnant economy that is pushing average people further and further behind. Not when we continue to pour lives and money into a mistake in Iraq while ignoring the real threats to our nation's security. Not when we have a failing infrastructure and a planet in peril.
So I printed out a neighborhood knock list from Barack Obama's web site. It couldn't have been any easier, really. The addresses were all within a few blocks of our house, with names, ages, and genders of the voters in question. When voters answer, you introduce yourself, ask if the person's mind is made up about the campaign, and then, if they're open to talking to you, ask them a few short questions about what issues matter to them.
My very first knock was answered by a neighbor one street over. This is a person I've waved to before, but I've never met her. She initially answered me with the door closed, asking who I was and what I wanted. I introduced myself and asked if she'd mind talking about the election and who she was supporting. "Who are you supporting," she asked through the door. When I said I was supporting Obama, she opened the door. She was on the phone, but when she wrapped up her call, she came outside and spoke to me. She started with the magic words, "I'm going for Obama, too!"
Our exchange took just a few minutes, but I was able to answer a few of her questions about Obama's policy positions, and I also was able to let her know about early voting that starts here in October. She said she's a busy teacher, so she's very eager to avoid long lines on election day. I'll be brining her a flyer with early voting information in the next day or so.
I knocked on about a dozen doors before the heat sent me back home to log my contacts and cool off a bit. Many of the folks were not at home, and one identified himself as a McCain supporter -- a literal and figurative dead end if you ask me. But best of all, I went three for four -- four answers, and three Obama supporters! Durham is ready for a change! What a high!
I know some of you are thinking there's not much more you can do, and maybe door knocking isn't for you. But there are tons of other ways to contact voters on behalf of Obama -- by letter, by email, by phone. Don't you think change is worth a few minutes outside your comfort zone? Take it from me -- it's totally worth it!
Yes We Can!