Send The Field to OH and MI, and, if you want it, PA and VA

Good luck!

First donation ever! I'm looking forward to reading all about it.

Long time reader/lurker, never before commented.  Keep it up Al!

Can't wait for your reports!

95 + 5 for a pack of smokes.  (How much are those these days anyway?!)

Sending $25, and additionally I'll do what I can to help out while you're in Michigan (assuming you're in the state on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday). I'm looking forward to meeting you and helping out any way I can!

More importantly, I'm excited to see authentic journalism reporting on the situation that really matters (as we've all come to realize that the MSM hardly knows the ground game exists, much less its importance).

First time donation.  Long time lurker who loves the detail and analysis of the posts.  I have been able to work calmly and resolutely at volunteering for the Obama campaign because of the rational and in depth reporting from Al and the Fieldhands.  Keep up the fantastic work!  Susan

I'm in.

I am in for another $50.00.

Could have contributed another $100.00 for a night on the town in Miami, FL--but you chose the Rust Belt tour.

Wish you well.  How McLame could win Ohio with the miserable Bush years and McLame being totally AWOL on jobs and worker's issues is beyond me--maybe your reporting will expand my frame of reference.

Steven - If Florida looks authentically close a week before the election, given the state's penchant for caging and fraud, it may just be where I end up covering election day (and aftermath). But that's a call for later on (although today's CNN poll with a 48-48 tie there is very interesting).

$50 bucks from a silent reader who is happy you keep her sane on a daily basis.

Thank you, each of you, very much. Not a bad start!

I just sent you an email to clarify something but for sure I will be donating a minimum of $50!  Can I make the donation hostage to an answer about Minnesota?  Just kidding.  The David Plouffe video today didn't show it as a battleground state but it has me worried that it is being overlooked with McCain's massive advertising.  Just wondering what your take is on the recent polls in MN and why the Obama campaign is not putting up a firewall there.

Just got back from depositing a check at the bank. Check is written, envelope addressed & stamped and heading into outgoing mail after I post this comment.

[2nd election-related outgoing snail mail in as many days: Last night, while phonebanking for Russ Warner (CA-26), I spoke w/ someone whose 18 year old nephew died that day... so I wrote and sent a condolence note.]

via paypal. Thank you Al for all your hard work and for being the voice of sanity on the web. Have a great trip and go wherever your instincts take you!

Heather aka gratitude

I'm in for $20--and drinks are on me in Terre Haute if you make it down to the "Bloody Eighth."

Al, I've been reading your blog since february, but I don't think I've ever posted a comment, or contributed money. First time for everything I guess. I just donated $50. Keep up the good work!

This election matters to more than just the citizens of the United States. The whole world is paying attention.

Catherine - Just as Obama's convention bounce in Colorado was larger (in the sense that as other states succumbed to a McCain convention bounce, Colorado did not) I suspect that Minnesota got a healthy GOP convention bounce, as the event was held there.

I also get the sense that the Obama campaign is playing some head fakes as to its deployment of Field organization and staff, and while not on the airwaves much or at all in Minnesota it is working the voter registration and GOTV (which was strong there in the February 5 caucuses, too, so there's a good foundation). 

The concern is based on two polls taken in the middle of the GOP convention bounce and they show a virtual tie. If the next round of polling doesn't show that receding I would say, yes, shore it up more with staff and paid media. But it's just as likely that the next round of MN polls will show it restoring back to a stronger Obama lead. Minnesota tends to run slightly more Democratic than neighboring Wisconsin and Iowa, which seem to be holding "blue."

Glad to support such important work.

I get paid this week, so I'll probably send you a Franklin on Friday afternoon. If you're in Michigan, be sure to come over to Ann Arbor - good bars, good laws regarding certain er...green substances, and the opportunity to witness the unprecedented voter registration drives that are going on at the University of Michigan campus.

The Michigan Daily (campus newspaper here) is reporting that the Obama people have gotten about 1,300 registrations during the first two weeks of school! Phenomenal numbers - I'll see if I can go find my print copy of the paper and post the article here.

Good to have you come to my adopted home - still would have hoped that you went to the ND/SD/MT/IA/NE-2 corridor, but this trip makes me happy, too!

I am looking forward to your reports.

Al, concerning Florida...I and some friends have been canvassing Broward, Miami-Dade

Concerning Miami-Dade....As you know lots of Cubans, but also a very big(believe it or not) Hipanic "MORMON" population......alot of the younger Hispanic Mormons are in it for Obama and during the last time out, I saw about a 85% increase in that population that have switched to Obama...

Regarding the Cuban population....Ileana Ros-Lethinin has a big challenge going on with Annette Taddeo...so she is very busy and can't get out there for McSame......

John Kerry did UNBELIEVABLY bad in Broward and Miami Dade with the Latino vote...Obama will def. do better, but from what I am seeing in the past few weeks, and with the reports, I am hearing from my Latino friends, Obama can win significantly with the Cubanos and the latino Mormons....it isn't all the way there yet, but it is close.

Now there is also a big Latino mormon population in Orlando, from what I am hearing they are a tougher nut to crack,,,,,,,,,

But I am going on the record now, that if Obama can close the deal in Miami-Dade and pick up a little in Orlando, he WILL win Florida by a squeeker! The polls are NOT showing what is going on....Obama has a BIG showing on EVERY campus here in So Florida, and I know some of the kids who are out there everyday....they are fired-up, ...we can win this state, I know it, and I am now starting to feel it, Princess Palin did NOT go over well here.

My .02 cents

Wow, Al, that is interesting polling coming out of Florida.

Tourism, development/construction, and agriculture are the big industries in this state.  The construction industry is flat, as you can imagine; tourism stays afloat on the weak dollar and the fact that it is in driving distance for many folk in the South East.   As well, we have a large population of snow-birds that winter here.

Agriculture is geared toward big operations (but we hope to change that senerio slowly).

What is striking about Florida is just how culturally and ideologically amorphous the state is--and, more, it is tremendously dynamic given the in-flows and out-flows of people.

Some speculate that the population will double in twenty years.

I have a feeling (I know, I know) that the state will be a win for Obama.  Further, I think that this economy stuff will not turn around favorably for Mclame before the election, and that Obama and Biden will preform in stellar fashion with the debates.  This could turn out to be a much better outcome than I should even be contemplating at this point.   Still, I am devoting all weekends through to the election toward canvassing and other election related activities.

About the voter fraud.  Yes, the state has an abysmal record--but I think the flaws came to light in the face of the extra scrutiny of a close election in 2000. This was an anomylous situation, and if Gore had demanded a full recount he would have won.  The corporate ruling class and the DLC kind of pressured Gore to conceed--and these are the folks that wanted Bush to do his magic, so they could loot the treasury with impunity.

Being weak in the face of rightwing, corporate political villany never pays--and the market collapse that we see now is indicative of this.

You being here to report on any shenanigans, like you did with Mexico, would be very, very helpful--and I am sure that if the folks at KOS know your work on election fraud you will be given some nice perches from which to make observations.

Ok, enough 'verbiage', I going to make you on-line donation.

Al,

I gave $100.00. Keep up the excellent work. I look forward to reading your take from the battleground states.

However it happens, it HAS to happen. Obama/Biden 08. I might see you in IN if you make it there.

good information and I would love to see a new poll in MN sometime before the end of next week.  It seems like we have waited FOREVER for this election and now it's too soon! 

Just read this excerpt from the CBS national poll showing Obama up 49-44 in likely voters.  Imagine if Sarah Hockey Mom Moose Dresser Sun Tanner Woman had done 2 interviews? 

Obama leads McCain 54 percent to 38 percent among all women. He holds a two point edge among white women, a 21 percentage point swing in Obama's direction from one week ago.

were in for $100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOUjmNvdFug

al talks about his vision of field hands

Have fun in MI! I miss East Lansing, and I can recommend some good pizza if you stop by there. (Chinese food, Thai, liquor stores as well, whatever you need -- don't buy in East Lansing -- head to Lansing, it's SOOO much cheaper!)

Looking forward to hearing your analysis - you are my must-read page of the day.

Sending you $50 for now (I owe you from before when I applied - got my money now). May send another $50 if my dogs stay healthy and you're in need of the funds before Monday, my vet bills add up.

via Paypal.  Always glad to see Al reporting from the ground.  After that great performance during the convention, I look forward to seeing more great reporting.

I just sent $10 through Authentic Journalism (paypal). 

Rock on!

in appreciation from a long-time lurker.

I registered 22 new Obama voters in NJ today on my college campus. That was in addition to 24 absentee ballot requests and 9 address changes. 

All I did was sit at a table in a high-traffic area with a "Register to vote here" sign, an Obama sign, and registration forms I printed out from the library. I even got homework done while registering people. Fun and productive! I'm going to personally take all the forms to the elections office in Trenton.

NJ isn't terribly competitive but every little bit counts. I'd encourage college students to take the initiative and do something similar to what I did today.

Since I'm in a good mood, $10 your way Al!

Mike - That's great. I have peeps up your way and definitely hope to hit the bellwether that is Bucks County, PA (where I managed some especially memorable campaigns probably before you were born) just a hop across the Delaware river from you, so stay tuned.

Everybody else - Thank you, and you and YOU!

I have to head out for a spell but look forward to checking back in, shaking the piggy bank, and giving a report later tonight. (Oh, and PayPal has a notice up that it might be down anytime from midnight ET to six a.m. ET for tech updates, so if you try to throw a coin into the cup then you might have to wait for morning.)

..

Al,  I hope I get a chance to meet up with you in VA. -BOB

But why do they insist on a phone number?

(I gave them a dummy one, no problem, but still)

First of all, $ will be on their way after I get paid this week.

I was debating putting this on the most recent thread, where it is more appropriate, but it would probably get lost there.  There are mnany ways for people to get involved in this campaign, like Al is going to and like many of us have.  Some, however, have very limited dollars or time.  I have started a discussion at Field Hands basically to discuss things that Obama can say that can be condensed into soundbites that would have impact and maybe somebody could figure out how to get them to the campaign.

We have a lot of very intelligent people here and there and sometimes, as Al knows, a few words can make a big difference.

Al, if you choose not to put this shameless self promotion on the thread I do understand.

Obama 52 McCain 44

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=edc4d070-fb0f-43a8-b19c-6b32c3ad36f7

when I get paid on Friday.  Let us know if you'll be in the Columbus OH area.

I'm in for $50. via Pay Pal 

Looking forward to following your travels.  If you are in PA weekend of October 4th, let me know.  There are 8 of us headed to Montgomery County that weekend.   Many thanks.

Just paypal-ed %50

thanks for the good work.

I do my Wednesday afternoon GOTV and my Wednesday night sitting with my Dad to give my Mom a break and come back to:

Al's coming to Michigan!

To blue_sd...hubby's friend who is our #1 choice for Al's lodging lives in A2!!  So, if everything goes well, we'll be between Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, and probably swing down to Toldeo OH!

Payments from 2 clients should be in my PayPal account on Friday...so I'll be clicking some ducats then!

waterprise2 AKA Pam

Liberal with a Capital L!

...and it was the best thing I've done all day!  I worked as an Obama volunteer and deputy voter registrar in his 2004 election to Senate, and I'm glad he'll be our next president, with the hard work of all of us.  Al, thanks for keeping it real and keeping us would be chicken littles calm!  Have fun in the swing states!

I feel like worlds are colliding with a building excitement of Obama winning this damn thing and the tragedies of the stock market after another horribly rough day.  How awful that way too many people who were told by experts to essentially gamble with their retirement.  I took my money out a few years ago after one "investment advisor" after another gave me bad advice on top of bad advice.  Nothing more appropo than to describe their advice as  "a day late and a dollar short buster".  But now I guess I get to worry whether or not my little local bank with my 5% CDs can survive this financial tsunami we are in. 

John in Illinois - nice to see you again and I will join your discussion in Chicago Field Hands for sure.  I'm headed to Kalamazoo, Michigan in an Obama volunteer carpool early Saturday morning to canvas and I'm so excited about it. 

Melissa - damn but that's a nice SUSA poll for NM. 

Steven Hunt - if there is ONE person I really want to meet at a (fingers crossed) President Obama Inaugural in DC it's Steven Hunt.  You crack me up with your special mix of studied language and "otherwise" language.  Sarah Palin shot her what? lol.  Seriously, I feel like I have gotten to know you here with your tree farm work and your unique and valid criticism of Obama and Democrats throughout this campaign.  And yet you are the one who is out there day after day trying to convince those Florida voters to do the smart (right) thing.  You are an inspiration and I'm so glad to see your view of the Florida election in particular the Hispanic vote possibilities.  Keep up the good fight.

but not 'till payday on Friday.

Would you go even MORE places if we raised more then 4k? Allmost half way there allready.

Thanks Al --looking forward to your reports!

via PayPal.

I stumbled across your blog during the conventions and have been hooked ever since. Your voice of reason beats back the wall of hysteria and has made this election fun again. Can't wait to read your reports from the battleground states, wherever they may be.