My first year as an expat the unthinkable happened. Florida. I was not involved. 4 years later, following closely from a warzone it happened again. Not involved. Another 4 years and I missed my chance to vote for a once in a lifetime president. Also, clearly not involved.
Two weeks ago, tired of hearing the words “surge” and “enthusiasm gap” I set aside a ridiculous amount of pursuing the interwebs, twitters and polls of polls of polls. I went to my local Democrats Abroad office here in London and started making calls (one of my personal goals is to get to approximately 537 expats registered in Florida.)
So what more are you doing over 2008?
Any passive dkos readers going to join in the comments (first time caller here). Surely you can put aside your hour (or three) of infotainment pursuits to make some calls. What about Kos’s action? http://campaigns.dailykos.com/... We need more volunteers at the London Dems Abroad office. Plenty of open international lines throughout the day (12-9).
Walking retired expats through the steps to print up their write in ballots (www.votefromabroad.org), or calling Spanish speakers in the Americas (no one is more friendly and enthusiastic about voting than the Dominicans!), I get far more out of this than the hours I have been putting in. The energy and enthusiasm for our party is there. GOTV!
I did have one disturbing call though, a shaken, “Sorry man, I just buried my Dad yesterday. I don’t think I am going to be able to do it this year… I did make a donation though”.
“We have your back. Look, I will be making extra calls and rounding up more volunteers on your behalf. The donation will make a difference. We really appreciate it.” Of course there was more to the conversation but I have a promise to keep. Off to battle the cold of central London cruising for American voters and volunteers with my “request a ballot” signs.
Who else is stepping up this year? What more have you done?
London calling to the faraway towns, Now war is declared and battle come down
London calling to the underworld, Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
London calling at the top of the dial, And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
Contact info for the Dems Abroad Office via their facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/...