Cross-posted on 21st Century Democrats blog.
This is the third in the series of Grassroots Reports we are providing over the final few weeks of the campaign to let you know what 21st Century Democrats is doing in several key battleground states. This week we're focusing on Maine which has suddenly become a targeted state in the Presidential race and has seen a tightening in the Senate and Congressional contests. After 21st Century Democrats helped force John McCain from Michigan, he redirected some of his staff to Maine in the hopes of winning a single electoral vote there.
21st Century Democrats has had 5 field organizers in Maine for five months talking with voters about their concerns over the economy, affordable health care and caring for the environment. Our program is focused primarily on the key counties of York and Cumberland, which will account for over a third of the total statewide vote. Last week, we had almost 500 phone volunteers in those two counties who made over 30,000 calls and talked to over 4,000 voters about the Democratic message of change. Running up big totals in these counties will be vital to Barack Obama and our endorsed candidate for US Senate, Tom Allen, winning their statewide races.
In addition to managing phone banks, our organizers have knocked on more than 5,000 doors with the help of excited Maine volunteers. This face-to-face effort is vital in Maine's First Congressional District where we are working to help elect Chellie Pingree. Independents make up 36% of the voters there, more than either the Democrats (34%) or the Republicans (28%). These independent voters want to talk with the campaigns and be personally courted. This is a time and labor intensive effort, but essential to winning this key seat.
Our organizers are part of the overarching coordinated campaign that has already made over 1.5 million phone calls and knocked on over 150,000 doors across the state. We are taking the fight to John McCain, Susan Collins, and the rest of the Bush-rubber stamp Republicans in every corner of Maine. In the small town of Limerick, one of our organizers is single-handedly running a field office and connecting with voters on a daily basis.
21st Century Democrats is working with the coordinated campaign to talk with voters about the the disastrous effects of the bankrupt Republican economic agenda. When Governor Sarah Palin flew to Bangor, coordinated staff and over 125 Mainers rallied outside the airport to show her that voters care about solutions to America's problems rather than petty mudslinging. We are on the ground every day, addressing the concerns of real Mainers and explaining how Barack Obama and the Democratic ticket will stand up for the middle class and help working families.
p.s. If you are interested in what we've done elsewhere, please read our previous Grassroots Reports on Michigan and Montana.