I live in a Blue State - mostly - thanks to Montgomery, Prince Georges, pockets of Baltimore/Ann Arundel Counties, and Baltimore City. Yet we still managed to elect Bob Erhlich (R), as Govenor of Maryland in 02..sigh. I am VERY confident Obama will, as did Gore and Kerry, carry my state.
In 2000 I hunkered down in PA and helped carry the State for Gore, only to...but wait, you know that story. In 04 I didn't volunteer, but donated dollars, and was disappointed again.
This time I decided to donate AND volunteer. This time I crossed into a "southern" battleground state, VIRGINIA!! Wow...and I am psyched!!!
The Largo MD Obama for America office is humming...so many volunteers, can barely find parking. Friday nite I counted/stuffed campaign literature for the legislative districts. Saturday, I spent nearly 12 hours working for the campaign, doing office work in the AM, and knocking on those doors on a beautiful afternoon in Loudoun County VA. Didn't make a lot of contact, but made some GREAT canvassing friends...a young woman Laya, from England, moved here in 99, just became a US citizen, and her first opportunity to vote will be for Obama. We are all excited for her! Her husband Walter, is from Germany and is psyched for Obama! Rae, originally from SC, marched, sat in at lunch counters and protested in the civil rights movement. What a team!! We all exchanged contact info, I hope we stay in touch!
The few door knocking contacts I did make heartened me, a young Marine, married, from Nebraska, he and his wife already voted...for Obama! My other canvassing partner, David, born in Liberia, a US citizen, made a connection with a fellow Liberian who knew his family, attended the same college...and is voting for Obama! All of the contacts we made had already, or planned to, vote for Obama! The rich diversity of my canvassing partners and the diversity of the people we canvassed was inspiring!
This Sunday morning, I am on my way back to the Largo office, will spend the day making phone calls and whatever else is needed. Monday after work heading to the Obama rally in Manassas, and at midnite to Loudoun County to hang reminders on doors. On Tuesday, VOTING as soon as the polls open, feeding poll workers breakfast, phone banking, running lunches to poll workers and until the polls close, whatever it takes to get voters out the door and to their polling place. And finally, Tuesday nite, in front of a TV watching all of our hardwork play out.
No matter the outcome, I did my part, I sent Obama $$ nearly to the limit, sent $$ to GA on behalf of Max Clelland, to Seals and Burner and tipped the ActBlue team...thanks folks for your vision, your inspiration, your commitment!! I volunteered, I prayed, I cajoled, I preached to anyone who would listen. I believe in this campaign, I believe in Barack Obama, I believe he will win, and I believe he will Change America! YES WE CAN!