In the film The Bourne Ultimatum (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3035431705/), Matt Damon's character is once again brought out of hiding, this time by a reporter, and schemes to confront his targets - CIA operatives that are out to get him - at their offices. Today, I was brought out of my apartment by the desire to campaign for progressive Democrat Steve Behar, running for city council in northeast Queens, and I schemed to confront my targets - Queens voters - near their offices in midtown Manhattan. But how? And why?
Due to my adorable 10 week old son, it is difficult for me to schlep out to Steve's district in northeast Queens. But I recently had an epiphany! During rush hour, there are express buses from specific parts of Queens directly to midtown Manhattan. So I found the bus schedules, packed up Baby Q into the Baby Bjorn, and headed for East 57th Street and Third Avenue:
On the south side of East 57th Street between Lexington & Third Avenues, handing out flyers to the commuters, lined up on the right.
I had never approached voters this way before, so I wasn't quite sure what to say. There were many people waiting in line, but for different buses. So I was asking people about the bus to Little Neck in Queens. It turns out, if you have a baby strapped to your chest and you are looking friendly but confused and asking about buses, people will try to help you. This is a good conversation starter. When I explained that I didn't actually need to get on the bus, but wanted to tell them about Steve Behar, Democrat for city council, they were a little surprised, but still receptive. I explained that I would love to be out in the district, but it is harder to travel with an infant, so I was "catching you folks on this side of your commute." One woman told me my strategy was brilliant! I think that's one of the nicest compliments I've ever gotten from a voter.
The thing about people waiting for a bus is that they are sitting ducks. Sure, they can read the paper or talk on their cell phones, but they can't go anywhere. So I was able to start friendly conversations about real estate development in Queens, and of course plug Steve and also Norman Siegel, running for public advocate, a city-wide race. Steve's race, like so many others, comes down to real estate development. Many people are concerned that there are a lot of luxury buildings and McMansions going up in the neighborhoods, without accommodations for where these new residents would park or send their kids to school, in addition to the added pressure on police and fire services. Like many parts of New York City, the residents of northeast Queens feel that big real estate developers are determining what happens with their neighborhoods, without regard to the people who live there now. Unlike one of his main opponents, Steve is not bought and paid for by real estate developers and lobbyists, so he will be an independent voice on these issues. Steve has been endorsed by the outgoing city councilmember for the district, Tony Avella, who is one of the few progressives in the council on land use issues. The people waiting for the bus were definitely Tony fans, so that helped.
Here's another photo, taken by a commuter-voter:
I'll be doing this again tomorrow (Tues. Sept. 15 - Election Day) at a different location - 35th Street & 6th Avenue, from 5pm to 6pm. If you live in New York City, please join me! Call or text me at 646-251-0680.
More about Steve:
The economy is a major issue in this and every campaign. Steve is a lawyer, and used to work for the SEC, so he understands the importance of regulating big business. In 2004, he started his own law firm and advises small businesses on securities issues. In many neighborhoods, storefronts are closing during the economic downturn, hurting other local businesses due to reduced foot traffic. Steve knows the ins and outs of forming a business, so he has innovative ideas for how to increase small business success by reducing start up costs and encouraging entrepreneurship. To learn more and see video, visit his website.
Other campaign activities with Baby Q:
This is actually Diary 3 of my 3 part series in which I adopt the Bourne film titles and shamelessly post photos of my adorable Red Diaper Baby. In my previous blog posts, The Baby Bjorn Identity and The Baby Bjorn Supremacy: This Time . . . it's Phonebanking, we campaigned for city council candidates Josh Skaller and Yetta Kurland respectively, and also for Norman Siegel, who is running for public advocate, a citywide office.