This diary is not going to be pretty.
With graphics.
Or links. Or analysis.
And it won't be well written.
Because I don't have much time to write it but I'm so excited about our experience today I had to share this.
And it's also my first diary ever even though I joined DK in 2004.
I just never got around to writing one, and always wanted it to be like an Al Rogers Diary - and now it will just be me babbling.
So this is what I want to say.
This is the please please please part.
To anyone who is thinking of canvassing - but dreads it and has this fear of doing it.
For anyone who thinks I'd rather give money.
Then go out and knock on doors - please please please reconsider.
Please please just jump in and do it.
I so know how you feel.
Both my SO and I do.
We really really do.
But take it from me, who did this four years ago and two weeks ago.
And again today.
I had those butterflies. I was so damn nervous.
I thought people would reject us.
Say leave us the heck alone.
Would slam doors in our face.
I thought I'm not in sales - I can't do this.
I'll give money - and then read Kos and talk to my friends.
Just don't ask me to do this.
But today was just awesome in New Jersey - and this is the place I so did not want to do.
My own home turf.
(We go into swing states, but have never done our own town.)
Anyway - today we got the hardest assignment of all.
Or so it seemed to me anyway.
Instead of getting a registered Democrat list - we were given 90 percent Independents, and only a few Democrats.
And not only that - they barely voted.
When we were given our assignment, I looked at my SO in dread. And he did not look too happy either.
Our job was to find out if they were solid Obama, leaning Obama, undecided, leaning McCain or solid McCain.
If they were undecided or leaning, our job was to try to convince them to be solid.
And this is where I think some people may hold back.
And think:
"Though I read Daily Kos and all the other blogs that are progressive, though I watch Obama's speeches and should have them memorized, I can't answer someone who asks me for specifics and puts me on the spot. I just can't perform on demand. I will forget."
That did not happen today, period.
You don't get grilled.
People want to talk, but it's in a conversational tone.
And then it all comes to you.
And even if it does not, you direct them to the web site.
But it will - I promise you.
But (another but) trust me, they won't demand to know what his position is on health care, or the mid-east, or wall street.
But what I wanted to share was what happened today.
Out of our entire list, 80 percent of the Undeclared voters on our list were not only voting for Obama, they were solid wildly enthusiastic Obama.
These were voters who may have only voted once.
Or voted R before.
But the level of excitement they had blew us away.
We were all babbling about the history that was about to be made.
Two people were solid McCain, but they were so damn polite to us, as we were to them.
And we were instructed to let them be - to thank them and move on.
I think we convinced a few still undecideds to vote for Barack, just because they loved the fact that we were out there doing this.
And that the campaign cared enough to send people out to them.
And by that time (one hour in) all fear was gone, and we were so pumped up.
We did not care that if someone slammed a door in our face anymore. It does not matter.
This election is what matters, nothing else.
And that's all you will care about once you go out and do this.
All the butterflies go away.
And once you get into the groove, you can't believe you were nervous.
And I should tell you, it's not that people slammed doors, but some people came to the door, said "don't really want to hear this" and walked away.
And we were like "okay, NEXT!"
I feel so alive right now.
I feel like we made a small difference today.
I wish we could have kept going, but it was getting late.
This is ten times better than making a donation if you're looking for that feel good moment.
Not that you should NOT donate!!!!
This to me is easier than making phone calls, but everyone is different.
BUT (another but) I will say this -
My SO and I did this together.
We did not split up.
This is what makes it so damn easy.
We bounce off of each other.
If one is unsure of what to say, the other jumps in.
There's a lot of back and forth banter this way - a lot of laughter.
Some people liked talking to me better. A woman.
You could feel it.
Some connected more with my SO.
I would not want to do this alone.
I don't think we'd do as well.
I know if you show up alone in many offices, they will team you up with someone knowing it's easier for two than one.
We are going to be doing this every single weekend until the election.
I hope with all my heart that if just one person reads this, and they may be holding back, they will try this.
Okay - that's it.
:-)
This started as a comment and more people might have seen this there, but I thought it would be too long.
I wish I knew how to insert just one cool picture in a diary but I can't figure that out.
If you need to know where to go, just go to barackobama.com and register at his web site, and then find your state and local office.
New Jersey ♥ Barack - that I do know with all my ♥
****updated*****
On SNAP!
You guys put this on the rec list? I ♥ you all so so much. NOT because I wanted my first diary in four years to ever be there.
And now I really wish I did make this one hundred times better but I was typing 389348 words a minute and had to post or I knew I would never hit publish.
Ever.
I thank you with all my heart because maybe it will convince those who think they can't do this - maybe they will think they can.
Thank you thank you thank you.
One for each Please.
SECOND MAJOR UPDATE:
Thank you to those kossaks who talked about registering voters.
In New Jersey, we have up until October 14th nine p.m to get new registered voters in.
Note: this is why I love my state. so progressive in the amount of time given to be able to register.
BUT, the field coordinator stressed this many many times over.
The REPUBLICAN country clerks who are checking new voter registrations are turning away forms with just the slightest error.
Just one small thing missing - even if it is not important and can be given a pass?
They are throwing them out.
The Democratic clerks are forgiving.
So whatever state you are in, learn exactly what it is they have to fill out and make sure they do that.
If they are going to mail it themselves, tell them you want to help them so it will pass inspection.
I took about two hundred registration forms and am going out on my lunch hour in New Brunswick where I work (small city) to register voters this week.
I am going to baby sit them while they fill it out.
President Obama.
Vice President Joe Biden.
Can you feel it? :-)
Our time is here.
"Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight."
Today was as beautiful as the butterfly that graced us with its presense in our garden.
And so our tomorrows will be too when Obama takes this home.
Thank you Demoratic Luntz for telling me how to do this. I got my picture in before I go to bed.