One benefit of living in a battleground state with a close election looming is the opportunity to see the candidates, and the people close to them. A week ago, I posted this account of the Kamala Harris rally near Atlanta:
Harris, Obama, Springsteen and more! Pictures and videos from the October 24 rally in Georgia
Yesterday the Harris campaign sent a text informing me that Jill Biden would be in Macon today. I waited to reply until I’d run all my errands for the day. When they sent the details, I was a bit surprised to see that the venue was in a rather small building. I wasn’t going to share my space with some 23,000 other folks like I did at the Harris rally.
My tardiness in signing up resulted in my being the last person admitted to the building, as my name was not on the printed list. No big deal. By my count there were fewer than 100 people in attendance. Everybody was going to be close to the stage.
There was a small press presence.
After some brief introductory speeches from local Democrats, the area around the stage was cleared for a security sweep. The Secret Service team was all business as they made certain the room was safe. Soon the First Lady was being introduced.
Unlike the stadium rally for Kamala Harris, getting pictures was no problem.
The First Lady delivered a short address, reminding us of the stakes of this election, and urging us to carry the message out of that room and help deliver more votes. It’s the multiplier effect, motivating a group of individuals to go out and perform to the best of their abilities between now and Tuesday.
Knocking on doors is not exactly my favority activity. I’m better known for spending my time alone in remote stretches of forest. But I downloaded the canvassing app to my phone, got my instructions, and teamed up with an experienced canvasser. The two of us spent the rest of the afternoon in a nearby neighborhood. Many folks were not home, but quite a few engaged us in conversation. The most spirited chats were with the handful who had not yet voted, and weren’t sure whether they will. My partner was very good at engaging them in conversation, and I had my say as well.
So, a day ago, I had no idea that I would be seeing the First Lady up close, and that I’d be canvassing afterwards. This election is too important to stay on the sidelines.
