This past weekend, my wife and I loaded up our two little girls in a little red wagon adorned with an Obama sign and an American flag, then we headed out into our St. Petersburg, FL neighborhood to canvass for Obama. Neither of us have ever actively campaigned before.
Our neighborhood consists of lots of interesting 1920-era homes, granite sidewalks and brick streets. Only a few blocks from downtown, most homes have been extensively renovated over the past 10 years, thanks in large part to an influx of urban pioneers, many of them gay. However, there are also many here who are long time seniors and ardent Christians who attend several of the historic and stately area churches. The result is that we have quite a mix with more purportedly undecided voters than one might expect this close to election day.
Jump with me over the fold to learn some interesting observations from our day out.
We were armed with our list provided by the Obama/Biden for President Web site. Talk about efficiency, the list only included known independents and these spanned the demographic range from young renters occupying apartments over carriage house style garages, to long time elderly residents, to middle-aged professionals.
Interestingly, of those still undecided, none would admit to leaning towards McCain/Palin now. Leaners claimed to be going Obama's way and the reason was always one of two explanations: they were disgusted with Palin or admired Biden. Both my wife and I sensed the two "I wish Biden was on the top of the ticket" leaners had some unspoken racial bias. But interestingly, we sensed the racial bias was weaker than then their dislike of Palin.
Several who seemed to be uber Christians (active members who also send their kids to local church schools) appeared to be frustrated because they clearly wanted to support MCain, but Palin's addition to the ticket insulted them. My wife and I both had this impression and one person bluntly stated it. I have no doubt that if Olympia Snowe or some other respected woman was part of the McCain ticket than there would be many more committed McCain voters in this part of Florida. But, because of Palin, it looks like Obama, with the clear assist of Biden, may draw in some Christian evangelical voters.
About lunch time, my mother-in-law, who lives an hour north and has been canvassing and phone baking for Obama, joined us. We walked a few blocks to one of the restaurants by the park alongside one of the marinas. People were out in force enjoying the weather and taking in the great views. With our Obama/Biden shirts and festooned wagon we were hard to ignore and many we passed were strong Obama supporters. One was a campaign official for a Orlando-based Democratic congressional candidate who was visiting the area for the weekend to take in the sights. Another couple were recent retirees from Connecticut; they were also strong Obama supporters and the husband, a veteran and former Republican, was incensed with the pick of Palin. Many twenty and thirty somethings gave us thumbs up. In the restaurant was a large table of women who had just completed a "Race for the Cure" run. To a woman each was an Obama voter and each considered Palin an embarrasment.
In the end, we went back home feeling even better for the prospects of a Florida win for Barack Obama. But there is when it got surreal. Our neighbors across the street are gay partners in their late fifties. Both are intellectuals; one man has a Ph.D. in concert music and is a highly accomplished pianist. Both are ardent Hillary supporters. Both are life long Democratic voters and...both are pro-Palin voters! Why? Well, my wife spoke at length to one of the men. Both are deeply southern (the whole vibe at their place has a Savannah-esque "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" feel actually). He claimed it is not about Obama's race, which actually means it is about his race. That was reinforced by his repeating of "facts" from the chain e-mails like "Obama is not even black," "He is only 7% black" and "Michelle is not even proud to be an American." Go figure, the only committed McCain voters/Palin fans we discovered in our neighborhood are among the most flamboyently gay couple that we have met! But hey, the unexpected is what makes life interesting!
So the takeaways:
- Palin (and both the cynical nature and rashness of her pick) is hurting McCain big time among many otherwise pre-disposed to vote McCain.
- Biden is helping Obama leaners/McCain defectors from the above group feel more comfortable, even those who may be soft bigots.
- Exceptions to assumptions can be found in the darndest places!
Go Obama/Biden!