Virginia, Here We Come (& North Carolina Added to Our Tour)

If we launch a massive on-the-ground early voting drive in Virginia right now, won't that allow Obama supporters to "lock in" the current gains in the polls?  (Basically get the Obama leaners to go cast their votes now while they're still leaning.)

Can't deal with cigarette smoke; little boy has respiratory problems, but I hope you find some place.

I spent a good part of the weekend registering people to vote in VA -- nine in all just for me -- and one of those days in a heavily African American precinct.  The truth is, most people are registered at this point.  Many thanked us for volunteering or gave us the thumbs up and made it clear they were pro-Obama.  Newly registered are those starting their first real job out of college, away from where they grew up and maybe used to vote; newly 18; and naturalized citizens.

I hadn't expected to meet head on issues related to voter ineligibility due to felony convictions, but it was clear that a good number of the unregistered had this impediment. 

I would suggest you try some of the more Latino precincts of Fairfax County, like right along the Falls Church/ Fairfax/ Alexandria/ Arlington border (Route 7/Columbia Pike) if you can find something going on there. 

University towns -- well, you can go to Charlottesville (not far from No Va) or Blacksburg (far from anywhere), but I might suggest Harrisonburg (JMU) (in between distance) if you can find something going on there, or even just finding something at GMU in Northern Virginia. 

For debate watching, you can definitely go to the Obama website and find a party, or a bar hosting a party.  I don't know if Cecilia's in South Arlington will be tuned to the debate, but they've been awesome about staging voter canvassing and registration efforts in that part of Arlington.  It's a Latino Bar with live music and dancing. 

No idea about Kaine's schedule. Should be an official schedule though, if you call his office.

Good luck and have a great time.

Just had to note that amk's "Which one is the Elitist Again?" image has over 5,000 Diggs!

On topic, way to go Virginia!!  What a great place for Al to start off the tour and check out that Obama lead first hand.

You mentioned voter registration drives. While we're not exactly in a swing state here at NYU, the NYU Students for Barack Obama and the College Democrats are making an unprecidented push to get students registered, here is the description of our main event this Wednesday that plans to reach up to 19,000 students that live in the dorms here:

"For one night only, on Wednesday, September 24th from 7 to 10PM, NYU College Democrats will launch a massive, campus-wide voter registration drive to register voters in their home states and provide the necessary forms and information on obtaining absentee ballots.

NYU has the third largest population of students from battleground states attending college away from home, including over 1000 from Pennsylvania and over 500 each from Florida and Ohio.

When you think about the close margin in Florida in the 2000 election, you realize how much of an understatement it is to say that NYU could have influence this November. In reality, we could literally decide the election result.

We are using the National Voter Registration Form (available from RockTheVote) to register students nationwide. Volunteers have been trained in laws governing voter registration in 47 states (sorry WY, ND, and NH), and will be able to answer questions, provide blank forms, and mail ballot requests for every single NYU student.

We will have tables in the lobby of every Residence Hall, in cooperation with the Department of Residential Education. Each table will have a printer and a laptop capable of printing absentee ballot request forms for 39 different states.

For more information, come and see us at your Residence Hall Wednesday night, or visit longdistancevoter.com for more information."

I have been helping people register in Virginia, and constant references to early voting are confusing them, because when they call or go to their county courthouse they are told that there is no early voting. 

There is in-person absentee voting, it's not very difficult to qualify for the absentee ballot exemptions, but you should use the correct lingo so people don't get the big runaround when they try to vote before E-Day.  Yes, it would be a good idea to encourage people to vote early because it locks in their votes, but also because it's more convenient (many counties are set up to take votes on weekends, after hours)  and it will help avoid chaos on Election Day.

Latino vote: head to Northern Va. or you can head down Jeff Davis (Rt. 1) Highway when you come to Richmond.

When in Richmond, check out Henrico County in particular.  The county is schizophrenic: the West End is majority white, affluent, likely pro-McCain.  I believe Eric Cantor (whom Chris Matthews destroyed) is the congressman for that portion of the county.

The other side of Henrico is the East End, where a very good number of black people live, pro-Obama, not as affluent as the western portion of the county.

I say watch Henrico because I think it's a "swing county"; they almost went for Webb back in '06 (if they didn't).   Richmond City will be Obama country, but the suburban counties like Hanover, Goochland and Chesterfield will be pro-McCain.  But Henrico has a split personality, so watch out for Henrico.

College towns: Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, Williamsburg, pretty much any sizable locality ending in "burg" or "ville" although the Richmond area has quite a few colleges too.

Hey Al.  This is my first time posting at the Field's new-ish home.  I'm in Raleigh, North Carolina, and have been regularly canvassing and phonebanking.  Everyone I know thinks Obama will win NC, and we are all working very hard.  Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  I think my area (Raleigh/Durham/Research Triangle Park) will go for Obama. Kerry lost this area by 40,000 votes I think, and enthusiasm for Obama is very high). So I would recommend going to Greensboro or Winston Salem (the "Triad" area).  I know here the organizers have shifted the focus from voter registration to canvassing and phonebanking.  So my guess is that canvassing in the Triad area would be most helpful.

Just now, Wolf Blitzer introduced a piece by Carol Costello citing the work of our friend as fact.

Both the Triangle region of NC and Charlotte would be worth it. Both provide you with what I think you're looking for; this weird mix of transplants and native African-Amercians that bolstered Obama in the Primaries, contrasted with the not-far-from-the-cities rural people who are still quite uncomfortable with Obama.

From my experience working the campaign here as a volunteer (on and off since '07), I think the folks in the Triangle region have a tighter ship, thanks in part to the many Universities in the area, and Charlotte (my city) is smaller, and perhaps a more concentrated way of seeing the diversity I speak of. Charlotte has also been a proving ground for the GOP folks who've moved to Obama, and with the Banking heavyweights HQ'ed here (Bank of America, Wachoiva, even BB&T), you can also get a sense of how the Financial folks see Obama.

Hey, Al,

Just emailed you the huge list of voter reg events here in Northern Virginia; it's too long to post here. If you're in the area and looking to get involved or know someone who is, if they sign up on my.barackobama.com and join the FairfaxVAforObama or AlexandriansforObama groups, they'll get the list every week and can jump right in.

I'm from Philadelphia, I reccommend heading to the Montgomery County office in Ardmore, which is smack in the middle of the Philadelphia suburbs, a crucial spot of the state for Obama.  The center city office is the state headquarters so that might eb good too.

Rasmussen has McCain ahead by 2% in Virginia. Time to get cracking, because this state is going to be very close. Al, thoughts on Rasmussen's polling in Virginia?

20,000 People showed up to see Obama speak yesterday in Charlotte. It was so packed I didn't even make it in - I had to listen from the outside. It was truly amazing, speaking as a Charlotte native. People of every imaginable race and age were there to hear Obama speak and you could see they were truly excited. It got me even more fired up about the possibility of NC going blue this year!

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/100/story/207135.html

(Input box doesn't seem to like Safari, sorry for not embedding the link)

As an MSU grad, I must recommend that you check out Michigan State University in East Lansing, as well as scope out the Lansing area (10 min down the road).

While in East Lansing, you simply must try the Pizza House on Hagadorn, just south of Shaw and Grand River. The best pizza I found in the area (may I recommend the stuffed?)

If you're looking for good beer selection, I recommend the Harper's in East Lansing (has some microbrews, if I remember right) or for a good football watching, drink special time, the Harrison Roadhouse.

Ah, just typing about this makes me miss EL. Just not the winters. If you need a contact with the Dems there, I can probably hook you up with the contact for the student Dems.

Kris Johnson - I'm actually in East Lansing right now (well, on the border anyhow) and another MSU grad myself; those are some pretty good recommendations (used to work next to Pizza House and ate there often and Harper's was the first bar I went to in town - love the Spartan Wheat - can't imagine that's Al's type of place however). Should Al decide to come to the capital and to campus, I should be able to show him around and get him connected with the final big push of campaign events.

(My personal bar choice would be either Woody's or more preferably Traveler's Club - International Restaurant and Tuba Musuem: they have a lot of Michigan brews on tap and dozens and dozens of international beers and wines)

(I'm delurking for the first time since Al returned home from "Oz.") 

I've been travelling every Saturday from NYC to Philadelphia, alternating each week from North Philly (almost 99% black, very, very low-income; focus on registration) and North East Philly (very mixed ethnicities, working-class/lower-middle class; focus on persuasion).  Both of these locales would be great places from which to report, Al.  Every field office I've been to has been energized, its work attuned laser-like to its specific wards, and bursting with volunteers from all backgrounds.  And both are representative of the two stories I see emerging from PA on election night: turn-out of African Americans and acceptance from the "working-class whites" who voted over 80% for Hillary Clinton.  

With regards to NE Philly, within the past week, there has been a dramatic shift towards Obama, and it has been amazing to see it first hand.  When I first started working there, the reception was chilly and unresponsive; this past Saturday, it was the economy all the time, and most seemed willing to vote for Obama despite whatever feelings they may or may not have with his race.  Additionally, the Field Organizers in NE Philly say that this area will make or break Obama's chances to win PA.  It was the area that most disappointed in the primary and, if it inches towards McCain, will probably cost Obama PA.  There's great work being done there by such a diverse operation that is seeing increasingly good results and reception.  

There's a great story for you to share in each of these locales. No matter where you end up, I can't wait to read your reports!!!

Check it,

I think you guys are really underestimating the turnout for AA this year.  I'm guessing that as in the rest of America, AA are in the minority when it comes to blogging, but I bet not many of the MSM or white people in general listen to Urban radio.  People like Tom Joiner, Michael Baisden, Steve Harvey, to name a few, who are nationally syndicated urban radio personalities.
I'm telling you, ya'll should check these shows out one day.  All they talk about daily seems to be this election, and Barack Obama.  They are on point when it comes to registration, voter suppression, and GOTV. 

Not only that, there are AA church groups, fellowships, greek organizations, NAACP who are all doing all that they can to GOTV, and help elect Barack Obama.  Trust me when I tell you that this election cycle, you won't have to worry about the turnout of AA voters.  It's the voter suppression tactics that will be attempted that will need to be watched out for.  And even on that subject, Urban Radio host daily talk to their listeners about voter registration and voter purges. 

There are a lot of Urban Radio stations, they may not individually have the numbers that Rush or Hannity have, but as a whole, they reach a lot of young people, AA, other "urban voters". 

Don't underestimate AA voters this year, you will be in for a surprise.  This won't be another "why didn't AA turnout" type of election.  This is our time, this is our moment.

What areas in NE PA are you siting as "make or break?"  I am headed to Norristown in two weekends from Westchester County, NY with about 8 others.  If you have advice, would love to hear it.  (Can leave message at NYC Field Hands.)

I spent 3 hours canvassing a senior apt complex in Las Vegas this morning. We knocked on every door (instead of the target list of voters). I registered 8 people and only came across 2 McCain Supporters. The complex featured many new retirees from other parts of the country. Good Day! I wil work on my draft letter to Otis Sanford late tonight and early am.

Lisa - I think McCartney was talking about NE Philadelphia, which is similar demographically to Lower Bucks county (lunch-bucket, Catholic, white, conservative Democrats galore from Bensalem to Bristol to Falls townships, where Levittown exists). It is one of the areas where I hope to take the pulse next week.

I have tried to liten to Black radio before, but I really don't know which radiostations/shows/personalities will be considered the most influencial among the AA community.
you could do us a huge favor is you provide a list of what you think are the important AA radio stations/shows
thank you

excellent track record.  This poll accurately predicted the Warner race, which was very close.

@PalGirl:  IMO, the two most influential Black radio personalities are Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey, both nationally syndicated. Both of them are comedians by trade; however, Tom Joyner has been on radio forever. Tom Joyner is called the "Fly Jock" because he used to do two shows a day: Chicago in the AM, then fly to Dallas for the PM, then fly back to Chicago for the AM, then fly back to Dallas for the PM, etc. for many years.

He calls his show "A Party with a Purpose": his two passions are politics and support of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

Both Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey (Tom the most) emphasize voter education and participation, community support and responsibility, and Black history, especially as it pertains to what is going on today.

Those are my recommendations.  There are several others on the national scene--many very good, but in terms of inter-generational influence, funny but informative shows, and "calls-to-action", these two are on the top of my list--the Repubs can ignore them at their own peril.  Hope that helps.

waterprise2 AKA Pam

Liberal with a Capital L!

So glad we have you Al and you've kept your journalistic cred intact! My internet was down for 3 days and I thought I was going to lose it. Trying to load pages on a phone browser is not the same and I can't comment. Anyway I can't wait to read your posts. And it's good to know WE can take specific action as well. I think the AP initiative should be the tip of the iceberg. We'll ensure corporate media becomes the REAL Straight-Talk Express once again!!

Sure hope those trends continue!  It'd be nice to see PA get a little safer and NH had a +2 McCain poll out today.  Odd that there have been so few polls out of NH.

Here's some exciting news for tomorrow:

PPP teases us about their Colorado poll tomorrow, giving us a "clue":

Date                   9-9     9-21
Palin Favorability 41/38   38/47
Spread Obama +1   ?

PalGal,

The New York Times had a great article about the urban radio shows during the primaries:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/us/politics/27radio.html?hp=&pagewanted=all

I would say that the top 2 nationally syndicated Black radio shows are:

#1: The Tom Joyner Morning Show

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/tjms/listen/affiliates">TJMS:

#2:  The Michael Basiden Show

http://www.michaelbaisden.com/

 http://www.michaelbaisden.com/Article.asp?id=423702

Lisa,  Al is correct.  I've worked out of two field offices in the North East section of Philadelphia - both situated on Frankford Ave.  I was connected to both of them through volunteers (i.e., community organizers) in NYC who took it upon themselves to arrange trips for ansty New Yorkers to make a difference in Philly. 

The neighborhoods are some of the most integrated, diverse communities I (in my admittedly semi-sheltered background) have ever encountered.  Blacks, latinos, and whites (and very ethnic-identifying whites: Irish and Italian flags galore) living amongst each other in a way I have never encountered (while living in New York, Oregon, and South Dakota).  Many Catholics, many "Reagan Democrats," most people living from paycheck to paycheck - simply struggling to keep their home (all row-houses or duplexes) and small yard, maintain their diginity and grow their children's future.  I encountered people who said that, although they were not racist, their home had just been broken into, by you know who, but things are so bad, they had to support Obama.  Only once in a while, did I run into a few crazies who, in between "God Bless"-ing me, all but accused Obama of wanting to eat babies and support terrorists in another attack on the USA.

But you know what?  Maybe I am deluded, but the most amazing thing about those two women is that I am convinced they CAN be persuaded to vote for Obama.  They were equally focused on how bad things in this economy were for people like them and for their neighborhood.  Despite their Fox News-hypnotic state, I felt they were basically asking me - pleading with me - to give them a reason, to give them PERMISSION to vote FOR Obama.  

Believe me: this neighborhood is one to check out.  Walking door-to-door; chatting with the neighbors (by far, MORE diverse than ANY neighborhood I've ever been to in NYC); talking about this election and the change we all deserve and NEED; it has all been some of the most rewarding experiences in my short life.  

AND Al, between one smoker and another: the real best part of the trip was the two cartons of $4/pack cigarettes I bought.  Heck, with almost $10/pack cigs in NYC, those two cartons turned my day of canvassing into a PAID vacation!!!

(PS: Although I was named after Sir Paul McCartney, my mother did change the spelling.  For future reference, it is Macartney.  :) )

McCartney - You're really bringing back memories for me with the reference to "very ethnic-identifying whites: Irish and Italian flagsgalore."

When I ran a referendum campaign in Bucks County in '83, Lower Bucks was like that. And I was shameless. Each afternoon, after lunch, there was a couch in my campaign office where I took a brief nap (I called it my "Reagan nap") because the nights were long and it was up at dawn each day.

The receptionist, per instructions, if somebody called during that 20 or 30 minute period, would say: "Sorry Al's not available right now. He's at Church."

Then came Ash Wednesday and I just dipped my finger in an ashtray and darkened my brow to properly show my deep religiosity on the street that day!

It was so definitely like that there, and sounds like it still is (a generation later!)

You can listen to WVON -AM (1690AM) from Chicago. Go to their website.

Also, find Bev Smith, and Joe Madison. Joe is on satellite radio, and I still think, but don't hold me to it- WAOL in Washington, D.C.

Hands down, Al: learning how to re-use cigarette ash has to be the best lesson I've yet learned in my new role as canvasser!  (But I regret to tell you that I was just barely two weeks old that 1983 Ash Wednesday of yore; my, how things change, the more they stay the same!)

More importantly, that reminds me of something Saul Alinksy wrote, with regards to doing "your own thing," by doing the "social thing, for and with people."  The focus should be on communicating with the community; i.e., like he says, don't walk into an orthodox Jewish community eating a ham sandwich; i.e., show your religiousity with "ash" on your forehead.  Pure brilliance.

In a similar, though not as creative, respect, after our first encounter of the "I'm pro-life" statement at the door, my co-canvasser and I soon adopted the response, "I am pro-life as well; life is precious, and we should all work towards giving young women more  options when it comes to that tough situation."  I said nothing untrue; but there are countless ways to reframe the comment and situation to bring yourself closer with those to whom you are trying to communicate.  

Al, if I EVER have a chance to use your cigarette ash trick, you'll be the first person I tell.  -Macartney

In light of the discussion a few threads back, I had to smile when I saw this endorsement link on Kos. Never before has the Humane Society endorsed a national candidate, This time, because of Palin's attitude they have taken action to endorse Obama/Biden.

Al,

We are looking forward to be a virtual participant and get in on your ground game starting this week!

I'm sure you are not short of any topic to write on, but that won't stop me from requesting one.  I've read a few articles about the Bradley Effect and one of the theories is that it wasn't people changing their mind but that it was the Undecided 5-10% who largely went to the other candidate.  Today Nate at 538 posted about this and how he is going to factor it into his model largely using the primary as a guide.  I think that might make some sense because IMO, the reason they are Undecided is largely due to lack of a compelling reason to decide so ultimately they make a "safe" decision.  The "safe" decision usually would go to someone who is perceived as more experienced.  Just MHO.

So now we have so many swing states locked in a virtual tie with the MoE and an Undecided number that could make the difference.  I would love for you to opine on this as you travel around. 

p.s.  That ashes and "at church" story is priceless.  Man, I didn't like those ashes! Our priest had big clumsy hands and he would practically smear my whole forehead with it and of course it was sacrilegeous if you so much as thought about toning it down. 

I swore I was going to bed, but after refreshing and reading your comment, Catherine, I have to throw two more cents in before I hit the pillows.  

As I said before with regards to the pro-life, Obama-is-a-terrorist women, it seemed to me they were begging me for a compelling reason to vote for Obama.  And it was not only them: the "undecideds," the "I like Obama, but I think I'm leaning towards McCain," the "we need a change, but I don't know"; all of those voters are begging for a compelling reason to vote for Obama.  

IMO, it's up to us to go door-to-door and give it to them.  We may not always succeed, we may not be greeted with open arms, but in my limited experience thus far, those "undecided" voters are begging for a reason to vote for Obama.

And who better to give it to them than you?

OT, but I'm doing a slow burn.

Just listened to Bill on David Letterman. 

He advocated some of Hillary's positions, resurrected some of her campaign yakking points - 18 million votes, etc - and really talked up Biden.  Did the 'Hillary, Biden and I are old friends' routine - I think it was a deliberate attempt to marginalize O-man.   Maybe he was trying to be presidential (finally) when he analyzed the race, but had I known nothing about him, I might have concluded he was neutral or for McBush.  Except for his final comments, he mentioned Obama only as a conjunction or as a passing reference. 

Must give this devil his due in the sense that in his final analysis he said the country was hurting, seeking change, etc. and because of this Obama will win.  His delivery however was absolutely void of enthusiam - actually there was NO emotion.  And NEVER did he say ANYTHING positive about Obama or advocate for him as a person or as a candidate. 

Wow, Chris Rock is on now and he called Bill out on his segment.  Chris asked why was he talking about Hillary. Said something to the effect that someone needs to school him, that the primaries are over and Hillary lost!!  Said 18 million is great and the Patriots scored alot of points during the season but they lost too.  

After he takes office I hope Obama gets a touch of the McPalin spirit and screws Bill royally.

I agree with Pam and Lamh31.

I usually listen to NPR when I'm driving but one afternoon I tuned into Michael Baisden on 98.7fm (NYC) and he was doing HEAVY GOTV.  I tune in more frequently now  just to get a sense of what's happening.  I've never witnessed such intense, prolonged GOTV efforts to a black audience.  One afternoon was dedicated to callers calling out their friends and colleagues who had shared they weren't registered or wouldn't vote (The callers actually said their full names!!!).  Then, they and others discussed why these folk should get involved.   Yeah, I think America will be very surprised with the AA turnout.

In my canvassing this weekend, I actually came across a good percentage of voters who were intentionally undecided.  They were waiting to do more research, watch the debates and then would make up their minds.  Therein lies the big problem with so many of these polls.  I have to believe that this is a statistically large group of people.  I was noting today's Ras polls that had as few as 2% undecides in some of those races...yeah right.

Wow, this needs to go viral, big time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

Rep. Jim McDermott-D-WA calling out the kings.

We need all of our Dems to stand up and call the repugs out!

From Fortune Magazine:

The guy who helped draft the "Bush/Cheney Energy Bill", lifelong Texas oil man and Republican, calls McCain "clueless on Energy" and is endorsing Obama.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/15/news/economy/500dollaroil_okeefe.fortune...

Cheryl -- I have the same response as you. But for those of us who suffered through every primary, is this really a surprise? We know them by now, if we didn't before. It's all about them. And I've contemplated the possibility that after the election Obama could stop "holding his tongue" about them. But then I thought why should he? It would just make them more important. If elected, he has so many huge challenges, he does not need additonal drama or antagonism. They will seek to undermine him at every turn -- everyone knows that, but they only will have so much power. He should just ignore him.

Maybe the Field caravan needs to keep going to Florida. Mason-Dixon poll has Obama up by two now, as of this morning.

OT, but the pigs have grown another set of wings and are soaring!

George Will in today's WaPo:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/22/AR200809...

This really is easy reading - for those of us who haven't read him in years.  Almost, almost, but not quite as good as the image of Al with cig ashes on his forehead - DOG, I love this blog!!!!

Ok, let me try this again.

Quinnipiac:

COLORADO:  Obama  49   – McCain 45 
MICHIGAN:  Obama  48   - McCain 44
MINNESOTA: Obama  47   - McCain 45
WISCONSIN: Obama  49   - McCain 42

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x4141.xml?ReleaseID=1216

NBC/Mason-Dixon

FLORIDA:   Obama  47 - McCain 45

http://www.wesh.com/download/2008/0923/17536531.pdf

Saturday, September 27th - Attucks Theater 11-4

1010 Church Street, Norfolk, VA 23501

I believe it is a Local AA Radio Station hosting

waive a hello to the little sistahs if you are in the area

I grew up and went to school in Virginia and I think central Virginia would be your best bet to center yourself in order to cover your reporting priorities if you do not have time to trek all around the Commonwealth. From Richmond, VA to Hampton, VA is about 75 miles with Williamsburg, VA along the way and you could spend the whole two days in that area if you wanted.

Richmond, Hampton, and Newport News (right by Hampton) all have a very large African-American population. You'll also find a good amount of military folks in Hampton/Newport News. Williamsburg would be your college town, home to the College of William & Mary. There are other schools in this area too.. Christopher Newport in New Port News, VCU and University of Richmond in Richmond. Most of the Virginia Latino population is concentrated in Northern Virginia but there is a sizable population in Newport News and Virginia Beach (also very close to Hampton), somewhat less in Richmond. Richmond itself should have some interesting areas, it is bordered by Henrico County which another commenter suggested.

Tim Kaine has two events on Friday listed on his schedule, both around this area:

Virginia Economic Developers Association Fall Conference. Governor Kaine will discuss the future of economic development at the fall conference of the Virginia Economic Developers Association. The theme of the conference will be “Hot Topics in Sustainable Economic Development: The Environmental, the Economic, and the Political.”

When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Richmond Omni
100 South 12th Street
Richmond, Virginia

Healthcare Heroes Celebration. Governor Kaine will deliver the keynote address at the Williamsburg Healthcare Foundation’s Healthcare Heroes Celebration. The program will honor people and organizations that provide healthcare safety net services in the Williamsburg community.

When: 12:00 p.m.
Where: Williamsburg Lodge
310 England Street
Williamsburg, Virginia

From Richmond, if you did want to check out Northern VA, it is about 100 miles north of Richmond but can take longer to get up there than you would think based on the distance due to traffic. Traffic tends to be quite congested on the VA interstate especially in Northern VA. Rush hour is horrible and it starts pretty early/extends kinda late because you do get people commuting quite a ways. On the way to Northern VA you pass Fredericksburg which is home to the University of Mary Washington.

About 70 miles west of Richmond is Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia. Could be good to check it out and surrounding areas to see what's going on in the non-urban areas of VA. Charlottesville is very liberal so that may be a good spot to look for a debate watch party, but I imagine there would be somewhere fun in Richmond too.

I live in California, but I used to live in Delaware. Every summer, when we took a trip to the Outer Banks, we'd take the route through the Eastern Shore of Virginia. From what I remember, that area seems to be fertile ground for an Obama organizing campaign, but I'm not sure what Obama has there in terms of presence. Demographically, I think it should be very favorable to Obama, and I doubt people have given it much attention before.

Al, are you going to check out the Eastern Shore?

As a follow up, Obama's website doesn't show any offices on the Eastern Shore. But I'm sure the Democratic party has a few there somewhere.

Charlottesville:

WEEKEND CANVASSES

Obama office at 422 E Main St. (call 434-422-9365)

            Saturday 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with trainings for new canvassers

                        experienced canvassers may come any time

            Sunday 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with trainings for new canvassers

                        experienced canvassers may come any time after 1 p.m.

Obama UVA office at 14^th & Wertland on the Corner (call 434-987-4542)

             Saturday 1-6 p.m.

            Sunday 1-6 p.m.

Coordinated Campaign Office at 380 Rio Road East at Hillsdale Rd. (call 326-1850)

            Saturday and Sunday all day

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/964/