Send The Field to Florida
By Al Giordano
I've read and considered everybody's counsel on where to report from in the final stretch. And as we announced last night, there will be quick visits to Wisconsin, Indiana and even Chicago next week (and perhaps a return to Chicago on November 6).
But for the vote itself, this "computer" keeps churning out the name "Florida."
And, yes, it would the most fun to go follow Montana Gov. Schweitzer through the final days, or revisit my old stomping grounds in New Hampshire or in the Northern Maine Second Congressional District... but there are more urgent and interesting battlegrounds where voter suppression tactics are going to need a big dose of sunshine and where the get-out-the-vote efforts will be ramped up at even higher gear on both sides, inventing the new standard for the state of the art.
Here is my map with a very liberal definition of states that could still be in play:
Among those, I've already reported this year from Nevada, Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina. At this point I think Virginia and Pennsylvania look very positive for Obama, Colorado and North Carolina look fairly positive and Nevada and Ohio are real knock-down-drag-out fights - but today's US Supreme Court decision smacking down the GOP litigation to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters in Ohio - along with ongoing early voting - returns a slight edge to Obama. And I think the Supremes were telegraphing an additional message today about their possible unwillingness to be used again to steal an election.
Meanwhile, I think that if McCain doesn't win Montana or North Dakota, it will come at the tail end of an Election Night whooping that crushes him before their results come in: Their polls won't close there until 10 p.m. ET, whereas Florida results begin to come in at 8 p.m.
Of the remaining battlegrounds, I gave a lot of serious thought to Missouri (which I think will be very close in either direction, just as it was in the primary), Indiana, or a possible return to Ohio or Nevada. But there are compelling reasons why the Obama campaign has dispatched five top national field organizers to the Sunshine State for the duration, including the legendary Hildebrand and Tewes:
The big bet on Florida and Miami-Dade County, Obama aides say, is based on the campaign's belief that it has secured enough supporters to win the state and must now ensure that those supporters get to the polls -- in contrast to states such as Ohio, where the campaign believes victory depends on persuading more voters to support Obama.
In other words, it's a pure and bloody ground war, with a very low number of undecided voters, in a state where Republicans have historically had one of their best-organized get-out-the-vote machines and where they excel at challenging and caging voters on Election Day.
Now the Obama campaign believes that it can win Florida -- and, therefore, a majority in the Electoral College -- by turning these voter registration gains into actual votes. In addition, the campaign has identified more than half a million African Americans and hundreds of thousands of young people statewide who were already registered but did not vote four years ago. That year, President Bush undertook a major GOP voter-targeting effort and secured a victory margin of about 380,000 votes.
"The demographics of Florida have lined up better for us" than in some other battleground states, said Steve Hildebrand, Obama's deputy campaign manager, referring to the campaign's outreach to African Americans, who are numerous in Miami-Dade County. "Ohio is more about persuasion. Here it's more about turnout."
In addition to Hildebrand, who is now focusing almost entirely on Miami-Dade County, the officials sent to Florida include the Obama campaign's liaison to the national Democratic Party and its senior or No. 2 outreach directors for African Americans, Jews and religious leaders.
Four of the officials are working out of a third-floor suite in a Miami Beach office building, and one, national party liaison Paul Tewes, has joined the campaign's state headquarters team in Tampa.
In many ways, Election Night in Florida will probably be "ground zero" more than Obama's Chicago or McCain's Washington DC. (And, really, who will be the most important person in America on Election Night? Obama? McCain? Or Hildebrand? Just sayin'.)
And the forces of voter suppression are at it again, trying to strip voting rights from as many poor and minority voters as possible.
A lot of that attempted voter suppression will take place where voters speak Spanish: another reason for bilingual reporters to be present and watchful.
And Florida's Secretary of State Kurt Browning serves at the whim of Republican Governor Charlie Crist.
The magnifying glass of public scrutiny will have to burn intensely if the Rovian worker ants are going to think twice about the covert efficacy of their usual dirty tricks.
Finally, the ghosts of 2000 still haunt the peninsula and panhandle, and the exorcism that could be performed will provide great emotion and drama to the narrative.
In sum, Florida, once again, is the place where field organization most matters (or at least matters as greatly as that in any other state), and where the election could become nastiest and quickly deteriorate into pure chaos. In other words, Florida is the perfecto place for this reporter to be stationed and on alert.
If you agree enough that this kind of reporting needs to be done, and collectively contribute to meet our goal by Tuesday, we'll be reporting from Florida starting next weekend.
Schlep the Blog!
You can contribute right now, online, via The Fund for Authentic Journalism:
http://authenticjournalism.org
Or you can mail a check to:
The Fund for Authentic Journalism
PO Box 241
Natick, MA 01760
Let's see how quickly we can make the new bar graph rise to its goal. Please use the comments section to inform us all of the amount of your contribution.
And thanks, as ever, for your support all year long and, now, coming to the final stretch in the second chapter, with more chapters to come next.
Update: It's this close: SurveyUSA has a new Florida poll out: McCain 49 percent, Obama 47. (Yes, most other recent polls show Obama ahead by one to eight points there, but as longtime readers know, I like Survey USA's methodology, transparency and track record this year, and what this survey basically says is that "it's the ground game, stupid!").
Update II: This is precious. Last night we announced my October 23 talk at the University of Wisconsin at Madison: The Organizing of the President: What's Next for the Obama Movement After the Election? Well, guess who (reportedly, as of this afternoon) is coming to Madison that same day to gather a few (tens of thousands) friends on the State House steps? We may have to book a much larger hall for that evening. Who is that guy and why does he keep following me around?
Update III: Wisconsin Field Hands have set up a sign-up page for our talk on Thursday night. We also need volunteers to pamphleteer on Thursday morning.
Update IV: Would the commenter posting under the name of "Michael" about the October 5 Asheville, North Carolina event and its advance team please send me an email at narconews@gmail.com ? - I have a quick question for you.
Email this page
Just kicked in Al...
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kathleen HarganThrough paypal. Wish it coulda been more...but it's what I can right now. I'm delighted you are going to Florida. I have a very dear friend who moved to Florida a couple of years ago. She and her husband are a professional Black couple who moved to northern Florida to retire. I knew this election was going to be something very, very special, when she wrote that she was not only phonebanking, but canvassing... in some very scary places. When I was nervous about going to Nevada to canvass, I kept telling myself if she can do this in Florida ... I can go to Nevada!
Donation re FL
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Brenda (not verified)I have contributed $100 thru PayPal for your FL coverage...thanks for all that you do in keeping things "authentic"
La Florida!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Amie HowellOjala que vivia en la Florida...invitaria a ti y todos los Fieldhands a tomar un cafe cubano conmigo! Estoy celosa, que suena superdivertido! I am really getting excited about this thing! I will definitely kick in $10 in next couple of days (for me that's a lot!).
Buena suerte and thanks for doing this, Al!
Applause for Al--protecting democracy, One Field Report at a time!
Si somos americanos, seremos buenos vecinos;
compartiremos el trigo,seremos buenos hermanos -- canción de Rolando Alarcón
Todos somos americanos.-- Barack Obama
great choice
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Diggity (not verified)Perfect location for election day reporting. I think Florida will offer an early indication of the latin-vote effect on this election. I feel confident that, thanks to the active latin community here in Colorado, our state will be a solid Blue come Nov 4th.
I chipped in $25 for the journey. Al, I've enjoyed this blog througout the primary and election season and commend you on your foresight througout this year and looking forward to your organization efforts in the future.
$25
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by dewberry (not verified)I am giving the bulk of what I'm saving with not having Internet or Cable since Ike to Rick Noriega, but am sending $25 your way. I always enjoy your reporting and I think Florida is a great place to hear about near Election Day.
Thanks Al!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Anne CrumptonI am in. While I cannot do as much as many of you are doing (THANK YOU!), I do offer encouragement and gratitude. It is so rewarding to feel part of the movement toward change, as I sit at my computer. I do pass it on to my network of friends to keep them informed and in the loop.
Yesterday it was time for a hair cut. My beautician, who has been a Dem, is not happy with the choice this year. She used Wright, Ayers, and meeting with a Muslim group in DC as her reason. I just looked at her. She said, "I know too much Fox." I said "yes." Then I could mention health care, social security, and tax cuts. Maybe, just maybe, she will wheel to the right choice when she votes in ET.
Any how, Al, I agree a Spanish speaking reporter in FL is really needed.
I donated $15 last night,
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kelcie (not verified)I donated $15 last night, will that go toward this? I might be able to donate again by Monday. I think Florida is the perfect place to go, I was just listening to NPR this morning and they were talking about voter suppression. We need a watchful eye there.
Also, this might be a dumb question but I requested an account after I donated and it didn't do anything except send me a confirmation e-mail. Is there something else I need to do? If anyone can tell me that'd be awesome.
$25 to put Florida in the can.
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Brendan CorcoranVamanos.
Just sent in $25
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Andrew C. TateCan't wait for the election night coverage!
From everything I've heard,
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Elliot (not verified)From everything I've heard, it doesn't sound like Gov. Crist is really interested in doing McCain all that many favors now, especially considering his unwillingness to toe the party line on ACORN. Of course, it's still a great idea to go down to Florida to see whose ground game is better (and considering that a Florida call for Obama will end any chance McCain has of winning, that is certainly a strong reason to go there).
Al, Were in for 100.00. We
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by palo (not verified)Al, Were in for 100.00. We have been working on our local congressional race, district 2 in northern ca. Last Friday our local activist group organized a candidate's night with free spaghetti dinner in our small town of Round Mountain. We got about 45 people. Jeff Morris D is running against the 20 year republican incumbent. We see a remarkable atmosphere for change in the district which has been consistently conservative for years. Although we are also working with the Obama campaign, that effort may be to big a hill to climb in our district.
The field and our association with the field hands has been a fabulous opportunity to reach beyond our local constraints. We are looking forward to post election organizing.
This is our moment, participatory democracy a movement from the ground up.
Thanks Palo
www.jeffmorrisforcongress.com
SurveyUSA FL Poll
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Bob S (not verified)The breakdown could be a bit off:
McCain AA 22%. Obama should do better in the AA vote.
Party breakdown:
GOP 44%
Dem 40%
Ind 16%
Perhaps Dem should be higher.
Update II
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Suzy ShureJOY! JOY! JOY!!!!!
Invite him to attend?????
I wouldn't recommend it
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Al GiordanoSuzy - I mean, he's welcome just like anybody else, but if I were his advisor I wouldn't recommend it. That would look too much like "measuring the drapes."
However, I will invite some of those fine young advance team people, who may still be in town that night after striking the set.
And Field Hands are already organizing to pepper the big event with flyers for our talk.
Excellent!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by JanL (not verified)I've been meaning to drop you some $ for quite awhile, this is a good time - Florida will be exciting, hope it's in a good way. I've really enjoyed reading everything you write since last spring - you'all have kept me sane not silly, so thanks! I can't wait to read your reports. We're still working hard in Ohio, so I've not written us off, by the way.
Donation coming your way as soon as I get home this afternoon
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Russell JosephCount me in for $25 via PayPal in an hour or so, Al. I'll be in Vegas for the final four days of GOTV push (along with over 10,000 or so other Californians heading to various parts of Nevada), but I will be sneaking lots of looks at my iPhone during that time to check out your reports. How great would it be for FL to avenge/atone for 2000. Come to think of it, I want Ohio too...
Aloha,
Russell
Re: Udpate II, Lady Luck or Destiny?
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthWell Al, I don't know which one it is but... I would say, who cares, milk it for all it's worth. This is truly wonderful.
I am going to be broke before this friggin thing is over. Between Obama, Senate, Congress races and donating to my most favorite Journalist/Teacher, a very slow housing market, crap......I guess I will have to stay in the country next year and work full time. Damn you Al & Barack! :) Donating another hundy.
$10 in the cup
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Jason Young...and that is some coincidence with the rally.
But we'd better hurry and organize: according to a brochure I received in the mail today, Revelation's prophecy is happening now, so there's no time to lose! The brochure talks about the "mark of the beast" and there are pictures of demons and winged, three-headed cheetahs (cheetahs???), grizzly bears with ribs instead of fish in their mouths, and guys in wife beaters and backwards baseball caps screaming into the sky. On the back is a picture of two kids with the caption, "Bring the Whole Family!" Scary stuff!
I see it, and I raise you 50...
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by James HaygoodI know everyone is beyond tapped out after this year and a half of donations, but man it's changed the game. We CAN compete, we can be heard, we can send our people throughout the capitols and state houses and even White Houses of this country. After we all recover, if we can keep some fraction of this cash flow going (we've all learned that we're able to carve out a bit for what we believe in) we could keep the pressure on and truly "Crush, Baby, Crush".
Hey!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthDo I get a prize for guessing Florida first?
Btw, whatever happened to Field Hand of the Month?
Field Hand of the Month
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Al GiordanoChristi - I was thinking about that while on the road at the turn of the month, and was about to award it to Kris Johnson, for organizing the great participatory spread sheet that helped get the AP's Ron Fournier sent to Siberia (and, wow, we've heard very little from him since then!), but, alas, Kris is not signed up as an official Field Hand. If y'all can make that happen I can award it retroactively!
Florida
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by JoAnn (not verified)I'm so glad you will be in Florida. I have nightmares about that state and the 2000 election. I know you will keep us well informed and sane. Just sent you $25.00 via paypal; thanks for your energy and stability.
Gov. Crist
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kat (not verified)Elliott- I lived in FL in 2000, and I don't think Crist is going to be willing to have the state look like a laughing stock again just to help out John McCain.
I am a Field Hand!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kris JohnsonAt least I thought I was signed up... hmm *investigates*
http://fieldhands.ning.com/profile/Kris
There's my profile - I should have added my last name to it. Corrected now. Sorry for any confusion, all, and thanks for the award, Al.
Not the State House Steps,
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Ben MaselThe City's Street Use Staff Team is meeting as I type to issue a Street Use Permit. If it was the Capitol, it'd be the State.
The Capitol's fallen out of favor for these things ever since I won a court ruling that "outside" signs can't be banned from events on the Capitol grounds.
Democrat for US Senate (Wisconsin 2012)
You would be welcome Al
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Dan Carrin your old haunts of New Hampshire. And it should be very interesting here but Florida looks like a better choice for reporting.
My 85 year old life-long R mother in law will be working GOTV there after having just worked on the campaign a month here in New Hampshire.
Some of us sure are getting excited, I can't remember when folks got up from the middle of dinner to answer the door and seeing I was delivering yard signs for Obama said no problem, and their guests came out to be sure they got one too.
'measuring the drapes' @ Al
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Suzy ShureAl, ok, you're right again - don't you get bored being right ? No 'measuring the drapes' - not until we Fumigate the Place for him! Maybe some of our southwestern Field hands can make some smudge sticks too!
Regarding the publicity for 10/23 - I've been sending the PDF of the flyer to friends - and just wanted to remind any Field hand who knows the local tv, radio, newspaper people in Madison could let them know about the event (Al's event!) too. Don't think there will be any question of a huge turnout for 'the other guy.' This is SO exciting!
25 bucks for Al...All for the cause of "for want of a nail..."
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Agoram MuthukumaranWith people like embarracuda and b(augh)mann and h(augh)nity spewing their venom non-stop, USA today resembles more and more like 30's Germany. Hope the Floridans realize that irony when they pull the levers on Nov 4th.
Does FL have early voting ? Now, I am worried about Obama camp worrying about ground game, donations and, worst of all, complacency.
Does anyone know what the strategy is to get those first-time-voting-kids to move their collective asses on Nov 4th ?
amk
10 Bucks
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by The UnNamed FieldHand that cried the last tears.... (not verified)I chipped in 10 bucks Al.
GodSpeed
Flawless logic
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Tien Le (not verified)Love your reasoning process for choosing FL.
OT: I just watched Nancy Pelosi on Charlie Rose...WOW. She is *so* effing smart and articulate and nuanced, oh and well-informed. How refreshing.
McCarhthyism Alive and Well
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Tara Van NimanThe whole Michelle Bachman interview on Hardball tonite is just astounding. First of all, Chris just kept goading her with deadpan questions to get her deeper and deeper in to McCarthy territory. She was loving it. What is even more impressive is the outpouring of support her oppenent has rec'd in just the last few hours. His website crashed at one point...not sure if it's back up but I went to the Act Blue site and it's up to almost $40k on ActBlue alone!! People are pissed.
Although it's great Tweety exposed her for what she is, I struggle with his not having pushed back on McCain's assosiations. How do they explain away Gordon Liddy and Charles Keating? Stephanie (is it Cutter?) from the Obama camp was on afterwards. Chris kept saying how scary this was and Stephanie kept bringing it back to how scary it was that McCain was so wrong on all the issues. I can only imagine how hard these people get the message drilled in to them. It is so natural for us to fight back on their terms and clearly the Obama camp insists that we cannot change politics as normal without setting the right example. All very Ghandi like...not sure I could follow through with it. I'm pretty sure I would succomb to my base instincts. : ))
Will kick some in to the kitty for the trip, Al. I just pray we don't need you there to expose any tricks or recounts, a la 2000.
Regarding the SUSA poll today from FL where someone posted the R/D/I split...does anyone know what the current breakdown is in the state?
AMK - the campaign has vast swaths of data of all their supporters including phone numbers and addresses. From now til election day is Get Out the Vote. Spent 5 hours calling and mostly leaving messages for folks. There is phone calling and canvassing every single day. Here in WA we focus on folks with mail in ballots first. Once a ballot has been rec'd by the county, the clerk updates the records and the campaign can see that so those people come off the list. Eventually, we start hitting folks who vote in person. Apparently, there's only about 20% of my county that actually goes to the polls. This obviously varies greatly from state to state and even between counties.
$15 for Florida
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kris JohnsonA few more bucks in the coffers for you, Al! Depending on the day, maybe I'll drive down from SC and see Florida with you - buy you a drink! Good luck, safe travels and thanks for the continued excellent reporting.
Maine
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Mainer (not verified)I think Maine is going to turn out fine. Susan Collins did not appear with Palin the other day and today she denounced the robocalls. Her actions are clear indications, or as you'd put it, "tells" on the state of the presidential race in Maine.
If anyone can send some funds to another worthy cause, consider contributing to Michelle Bachmann's opponent. He would be far superior to this antidemocratic travesty and is evidently fairly close behind. Here's a link for contributions -- http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18660
Looking forward to it
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by John (not verified)I hope you come down to Florida.
I recommend you check out Duval county (Jacksonville). This county went for Bush 17 and 16 points in 2000 and 2004. But the Obama campaign is taking this county seriously.
Tara - Thanks for telling me about the GOTV tactics. But,
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Agoram Muthukumaranyou also said that only 20% of your county goes actually to the polls. Do you mind telling me why ? Or is it that most would mail in their votes ?
amk
California Proposition 8 - NO on discrimination
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by JPM (not verified)Please go here and vote in the poll for Prop 8
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/17/1817/5879/730/633888
Winning this poll will send tens of thousands of dollars to the No on Prop8 campaign
Forward to anyone you think would be willing to vote
Donation going out tomorrow
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Kathie Corcoran (not verified)My $15 check is in the envelope and will be in the mail tomorrow morning. I wish it could be more, but just an hour ago - and before I read about these exciting plans - I sent in another donation to Obama. I look forward to the reports from Florida. Thanks and safe trip!
Forgive Me- O/T
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthI need to say this--- I S0000 LOVE Joe Biden!
He is the opposite of BO in style because he is allowed to be (you know the bullshit, he's white, it's ok to be angry). He is on fire and on message tonight in Henderson (LV) NV! Go Nevada for Barack! It's all about GOTV now! Early voting starts tomorrow, ends the 31st. If you are reading this and live in NV, Go Vote!
@JPM
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthDone! We need phonebankers & canvassers in to defeat prop 8 in CA. If you know anyone interested please email me christidemuthatyahoodotcom.
AMK
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Tara Van NimanThere are only two counties left in WA that still have in person voting. And within the two remaining counties, about 80% vote absentee ballots. I am apparently one of the minority who actually still goes to the polls. I've always liked voting in person but this time around, I really wish I could cast that ballot right now. I was jealous when my husband got his yesterday.
BTW, Tinkelberg's ActBlue page is now up over $63k. It's hysterical...and wonderful. Matthews was just like a lawyer leading her down the path where he wanted to take her and she just willingly kept going further and further. Only an idiot wouldn't have been able to see it for what it was. Quite the entertainment for a Friday night.
@Tara & AMK
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthI was flabbergasted at that dumb broad, yep, I said it. Like Chris Rock (his new HBO special is hilarious). How ignorant-anti-American-bigoted-partisan-etc-etc, can you be?!?!
My mom and I both donated to her challenger tonight. I think she just lost :-)) and now I am really broke ;|
Pigs are flying!?!
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Christi DemuthThe Salt Lake Tribune has endorsed Barack Obama for President.
The reddest state in the nation, Mormon country. My mom has friends there who are all about McLame, I am sending them this endorsement right now.
Oregon Update
Submitted on October 17th, 2008 by Bill R. (not verified)Tomorrow we will be receiving our ballots in the mail so the voting has begun. In Oregon all elections are mail-in only. So the voting takes place over a rolling two week period. Today I had visits from two canvassers, one from SEIU canvassing for Obama and Merkley, and another from Forward Oregon, a progressive advocacy group canvassing for Kurt Schraeder D Congress, and Jeff Merkley, candidate for Senate running against Gordon Smith.
Two polls today from Research 2000,
Obama 53, McCain 38
Merkley 47, Smith 41
Things are looking good here for Obama and for Merkley to unseat the Republican Gordon Smith. (I should add that Gordon Smith is trying to run as a moderate who likes Barack Obama. He even has Obama in some of his ads, like they are best pals or something.) I should add that SUSA had a poll earlier in the week with Obama at +17, and Rasmussen with Obama at +13. Obama is headed for a double digit victory here as the polling has been stable double digits over the past month.
Holy crap
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Tara Van NimanSalt Lake City??? And that was quite the endorsement as well.
Christi - I haven't given to Tinkelberg's campaign yet...but I was just getting ready to send my money in to Al so the credit card is right next to the computer...very dangerous. I sent money in to the DSCC this week as well. I couldn't figure out which of the umpteen Senate races needed the money most so I just sent it to the committee.
$100 added
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Nancy ChesterJust added $100 to the Florida kitty. I haven't joined field hands as I don't feel confident regarding my time and direct service skills but I am grateful that I can periodically participate financially.
Just matched Nancy's donation
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Ted (not verified)Good luck in FL, Al. Looking forward to reading your on-the-ground reporting.
Utah and Florida
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Janey (not verified)Two notes about my hometowns - Salt Lake county and Palm Beach county
Utah
"The Salt Lake Tribune has endorsed Barack Obama for President.
The reddest state in the nation, Mormon country. My mom has friends there who are all about McLame, I am sending them this endorsement right now."
Although, the conservative paper of Salt Lake, The Desseret News will balance that the other way.
Florida
Hey Al, I have fun family in Palm Beach county and South Beach Miami. Let me know if you'ld like me to arrange a place to crash.
I come from the infamous Palm Beach County, home of the hanging chads, Century City, Mark Foley and the newest douchebag scandal. My 72 year old father used to be very active in the Republican party there and went to the national convention one year - long ago. My sister and father both new Mark Foley, their rep, on first name basis (said they never imagined he would do something like he did although everyone knew he was gay and folks in Palm Beach don't care about that very much).Like myself, he hasn't been able to vote for a repulican candidate for president for many, many years. He was leaning McCain but Palin did the trick - no more thinking about McCain.
It is an interestingly strange county and runs rather more conservative than Broward and Dade. But, I imagine this year it will be a bellweather county because of people the age and temperment of my father.
Palm Beach county was the big drama county for Gore and I cannot help think that it will continue to so.
also have relatives in Tampa - which I guess is large swing county for Florida votes.
What do you need to know about Florida?@ Tara, & Christi RE: Hardball
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Suzy ShureWatching the video of Michelle Bachman on Hardball was one of the most frightening experiences, terrifying. I applaud Chris Matthews for his performance, allowing Bachman to show herself in all her horror. How does a person like this get elected?
Cutter was magnificent, appropriately speechless and dismayed. I hope this video is viral by now, along with the hate filled robo call.
amk - I think we're going to see a much higher proportion of the people of voting age voting this year.
El Tinkelberg running against Michelle Bachmann
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Suzy ShureFor those Field hands who have not yet seen the Hardball performance of Michelle Bachman, imagine the worst - except for the honorable response of Katrina V. of The Nation. There is a Diary by Tinkelberg up at DKos. The POWER of Community:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/18/2550/3286?detail=f
G'ma, Mom, and Daughter GOTV
Submitted on October 18th, 2008 by Pamela Hilliard...In our huge 100% Obama gadget lovin', text-sending family, we abbreviate "grand" as "G'" as in G'ma and G'pa...(collectively known as "the G's"...
G'ma (my 84-yo mom) and I have been working 1 day/week with seniors in Senior-citizen homes around these parts. Wherever Mom goes, she puts on her regular clothes, then puts her "O" shirt over her outfit and her "O" cap on her head. Every day. In the last three weeks, we've helped 102, 143, and 113 seniors respectively turn in their absentee ballots. We are very careful to be "non-partisan" when we visit the homes, and we are really careful not to mark the ballots for people, etc. It's just *coincidence* that all of the seniors we visit are voting for Obama (we guess, we don't look at the ballots!).
It is really gratifying to see really old people who have waited for this day all of their l-o-n-g lives vote for That One.
My 35 yo daughter, who had to leave her job med school in Phoenix to come home for medical treatment herself, has been working GOTV for three O offices in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Detroit. That's after she organized for O while she was in AZ. She takes her 17 yo brother (her father's son, not mine) with her (he is po'd that he can't vote this election) to talk to 18 - 40 yos they meet in malls and in neighborhoods. She is still on Cloud Nine after meeting Al personally in Ann Arbor a couple of weeks ago.
Health care is one of her issues...we are spending $1500/month on her treatments and $2000/month for G'pa (my 88 yo Dad) because insurance and Medicare don't completely cover what they need.
I'm taking a picture of my Mom and Dad marking their own absentee ballots this weekend; Mom has total power of attorney for Dad, and although he can barely speak now, he smiles and waves his hand when O is on TV.
What are McGGLiddy, Gov. Failin, M B(yeech)mann, or Bill Ayers for that matter gonna do about our medical bills?
Hope, not hate!
waterprise2 AKA Pam
Liberal with a Capital L!