I took a vacation day from work so that I could first vote for Obama and then go out and work for him by canvassing. Please tell everyone about your GOTV experience below the fold.
Before the GOTV recap, I want to mention a polling place experience.
Jump for an inspirational anecdote.
I obviously couldn't wear my Vote for Change t-shirt to vote. But I decided that I had a shirt more appropriate. I have a t-shirt with Bobby Kennedy's picture on it and the quote:
There are those that look at things the way they are and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
I'm a Bobby Kennedy Democrat. And this is the first election in my lifetime where Edwards and Obama focused the campaign on the same issues that Bobby did (I was 2 when Bobby died). For that reason, this is the first campaign where I've given money and time. And so, I wanted to take Bobby into the voting booth with me.
As I got to the end of the table, an older African-American lady was giving out the ballots. She looked at me and said, "I love your shirt!"
I told her, "it's been a long time, hasn't it?"
She said, "it sure has".
And just then, she shook her head a bit, like she had caught herself about to tear up. You know how you do when something emotional suddenly pops up unexpectedly. It lasted only a little bit, but it captured the years of hope that might be realized today.
After that, I showed up at the local UAW union hall and got my 2 canvassing packets and headed out. In total, I hit almost 60 houses/apartments. As expected for the middle of the day, most people were still at work or school. I did find 7 voters that had already voted for Obama. I only had one bad experience. An older white woman slammed the door on me when she heard me say I was with the Obama for President campaign. Oh well.
I'm not the most outgoing person in the world, so canvassing isn't a strength for me. But as I kept walking those blocks, I kept thinking about that African-American woman at the polling place and remembered that I was doing it for her.