I live in a RED, RED, RED state. It has been so long since our state's electoral votes went to a Democratic president that it has found its place more in myth and folklore than history. This state's electoral votes are so secure in the Republican's hands. So much so that the Obama campaign does not have 1 paid staffer here. The electorate will not be going for Obama, or any Democratic Senator or, more generally, Democratic Politician most likely ever in my life.
I hear a lot of hoopla, as has been echo'd, re-echo'd and then taped and played back about the closeness of this race and how, what has been called the "chicken littles", are nay sayers. How they have lost hope, can't understand how Obama is behind, etc. I am sure reading the news daily does dampen spirits rather easily. I know, I not only get it on the news but in person, from family, friends, strangers, etc.
I don't live in Zimbabwe, but support for the Republicans in my small southern state are, on a much lesser scale, similar. In 2004, vandalism of cars that sported a Kerry/Edwards campaign sticker where vandalized. People were being berated on the streets, in their cars and in public for openly showing support for that ticket. The term "baby killers" is still in full force here. And many people here think that Palin is too moderate in her religious views. Suffice it to say, we are the belt buckle of the bible belt. So I know our state will not in any shape go pro-Democratic party this year.
There was a Democratic party meeting for Obama for our local County. My county isn't the biggest county in this state by any means, so the expected turnout was about 3 to 4 people, basically the officers. The meeting was set to be at a book store. As the meeting organizer sat outside, so as not to draw scrutiny, more scoffs (possibly even being spat on, no joke) from the people inside. She waited until about 5 minutes after the start of the meeting with just her and the executive of the local Democratic party discouraged that yet another year had been the same, before starting.
It was at about 10 minutes after the start time that someone inside recognized her. They approached her and asked her was this where the meeting was going to be held. She coyly replied yes, half expecting a scoff, half hopeful that the meeting had just gone from 2 members to 3. The person smiled and went back inside. Over 30 people returned from inside, completely filling up the outside patio of the book store. Once the meeting began, others that had planned to show up, began joining. By the end, it was standing room only, outside the store. So much so, that even people passing by stopped to see what was going on. Later, they too signed up for the local Democratic Party volunteers list.
The meeting took a realistic approach. We know we can't change our state this year. But, we can register voters for the Democratic party. We know our state won't go for Barack Obama. But we can beat the streets and get more people involved in change. We know that there will be a landslide against our Presidential hopeful here. But we know we have to plant the seeds of change every two years, every day of every week. Our state is lost this year to Republicans. But we are sending our donations to battle ground states. We know that our state is a battle that we will lose, this year. But we know we will continue to support the war for President. We know we will continue to plant our seeds, diligently, to win the war here.
I have hOpe that my state will follow the transition of Red, Purple, Blue. But I know that it will not just happen. I know I will have to continue planting seeds. Then one day, I can be proud that I was part of something great. That I didn't stand idly by and watch. I actually got involved in a loosing, but noble and just, cause. I helped shape history.
So, no matter how easy it is to panic, I can't, you can't. The polls here show McCain taking the state by over 80%. But we keep trying. Why? Hope.
Update 1:
Answer: I am in Alabama.
Answer: I got polling data from local newspaper today.