WARNING: This is a rant and a rave with some hope in the end. Reading may cause nausea, cramps, bloating, and hope.
I just wanted to give those of you in Kossack land a little update about what I'm seeing in my part of Florida. Tampa, located in Hillsborough County, is a swing region. The campaign has said if we win Tampa - we win Florida. So far Hillsborough County has had 25,976 voters cast ballots through early voting which started Monday. (This is a HUGE increase over last election.)
What I see: Fear. The Republicans are scared. I'm seeing Obama signs stolen or defaced. Bumper stickers torn off of cars, hate speech on local news blogs, robocalls, and disgusting mailers.
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Being in a swing state isn't really as exciting as it sounds. It's nasty out there. For example, today my co-worker who supports Obama dropped her daughter off at her daycare. The owner of the daycare was there and handed her what appears to be a home made flier. It said the following:
Barack Obama
Would end the war on terror in defeat: YES
Would end the life of a baby born alive: YES
Would require gay marriage to be taught in schools: YES
Would bring socialism to America: YES
She brought it to work and realized exactly what it was and called the daycare to complain. The daycare owner told her that if she doesn't agree she needs to come pick up her daughter. So that's what she did. She literally feared her child could be harmed because she disagreed with the owner.
Next, another co-worker who is a devout Catholic was told by his Priest that "Catholics do not vote for Obama." He's totally on the fence now. He may actually vote for McCain because of this.
Another example, tonight I went to my local Target. I wore my Obama/Biden t-shirt. In the parking lot, a truck pulls up next to me yelling insults and then they throw an empty beer can at me and speed off.
I don't know what is going on in Tampa, but it seems like McCain/Palin bumper stickers have been put on so many cars now its crazy. We are losing the bumper sticker war for sure and it all changed over night it seems. I used to see 5 Obama stickers on the way to work, now I see 15-20 McCain stickers. Polls seem to be tightening and Republicans are getting more agressive not only in their attacks of Obama and his supporters, but also in their support for their ticket.
But there is HOPE. One of my dearest friends has taken the two weeks before the election as vacation from work. This week she has concentrated on getting voters to the polls that didn't vote in 2004. Today, she was proud to tell me that 51 people who didn't vote last year voted early this morning. These are all people she has reached out to through the campaign and other organizations. That's 51 votes for Obama. Yesterday, she had 44 voters. The campaign is really trying to Get Out The Vote. If Obama loses Florida, it won't be because we didn't try.
Tonight I went by the local Obama office and it was BUZZING with excitement. People were making calls, picking up yard signs, and getting ready to canvass. We've got vans taking voters to the polls to early vote. I'll be driving a van this weekend.
It's easy to get down and out when you see the news and see the polls. I have to admit I've been down the last couple of days because I fear so much that Florida may once again be red in November. I remind myself that every vote for Obama is a vote for CHANGE, a vote for HOPE, and a vote for AMERICA. Even if he loses Florida, our votes will pad his popular vote totals and show Florida Republicans that we are tired of the old politics. Our voices will be heard on Nov. 4th. If you are in Florida, PLEASE GET INVOLVED NOW. The campaign has a great staff and great volunteers, but we need more.
UPDATE Vote NO on Amendment 2. This is what our opponents are using as scare tactics in Florida on this Amendment.