Here in Indiana, we're still waking up. In more senses than one. But for the one thing, we're still catching up on sleep. I'd like to congratulate my pals in MO and NC, for the fantastic job that was done. Yeah, we won by a greater percentage, but it could've gone either way ... (see below the fold)
Last June, during the first week, I was out there ... despite the rumor that there would be only five staffers in Indiana. I just couldn't do it - after our experience during the "second coming" of Rev. Wright - just "leave Indiana for dead." (Remember McCain's hero, Robert Jordan, and the end of For Whom The Bell Tolls). Nuh-uh, w/ a box of Phillies saved from recycling, I knocked 4K doors before our office opened here in Tippecanoe co. on July 8. I was still blinding until late Sept, when the pressure for "door counts" became too much. (You can read my prev. diary entries for more info.)
I'll describe the story - from my perspective - in more detail, later on. I have many canvassing stories to tell, but suffice to say, I was out virtually every hour, and I believe I have at least 1K if not 2K votes in my pocket, over the course of 15K doors. Sleep was not an option for this geezer ('58).
This was an incredible effort in IN, MO, and NC. We almost won MO, and I think MO canvassers and vols in gen'l - as well as staffers - s/b able to share in our victory.
For those of you in NC, you recall the darkest days in early May, when Rev. Wright came back. You remember being threatened with dogs, and worse ... we were there ... us Hoosiers.
Barack is practically President of the World now, and it couldn't be sweeter. I'm not sure downticket cand.s have done that well (at least not here), and I'm sad about that.
This site has been a great source of inspiration to me, and to many folks who have worked so tirelessly in the red states. I recently met a guy who had knocked doors in Alabama. I gave him a button, a bumper sticker, and a rally sign.
Have you met anyone who has knocked doors down south? Have you?
Please trust me, next cycle ... we'll be down there to knock doors for you - in Alabama, Mississippi, and everywhere. We want to turn the whole nation Barack Blue.
--The Mad Canvasser of Indiana
P.S.: 1936 was the last time that a Democratic Presidential candidate from the north won Indiana's electoral votes :D