A bitch got my political canvass on this weekend on behalf of a fantabulous woman running for State Rep. in Missouri.
My feet are killing me, but it was worth the pain.
Wince.
I've discussed the need for activists to get active here before. Volunteering is a great way to live your values in your community. But volunteering for a political campaign is also a rare opportunity to learn a hell of a lot about your neighbors and fellow voters.
Whilst canvassing I met a lot of folks who had not made up their mind but who had really solid questions about the policy positions of the candidate I was volunteering for. These voters wanted to know where she stood on taxes, healthcare, education and judicial reform. And they asked about her position on reproductive choice as it applies to healthcare and education.
I returned home to soak my aching feet and ponder the day and I couldn't help but compare the voters I met during a four-hour canvass with the texture and substance of the recent vice presidential debate.
Did those voters get the answers they sought from that debate?
I think not, since the debate was a festival of non-information and well rehearsed folksy sound bites.
No, I'm pretty damned sure that the voters I met...those folks who had some damn good questions and real concerns...didn't walk away from the V.P. debate with any answers.
If anything, they walked away with more questions and a lot of concerns.
Sigh.
With both presidential tickets claiming to represent average hard working Americans this bitch thinks they'd all benefit from a few weekends of house-to-house canvassing.
We average Midwestern folks aren't as simple as the Sarah Palin's of the political world like to believe.
And you're darn tootin' we deserve a serious debate on the issues...
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I gather, sharkfu, from your post that you actually are not represented by the moms at hockey games, who Sarah Palin regards as an accurate sampling of random, average Americans.
Nor me.
Canvassing definitely helped me love the American voter all over again. Lots of smart questions, and people excited about engaging in conversation. At times it seemed like people were really desperate to talk about these things, but that they hadn't had an opportunity before I came knocking on their door.
On Saturday I did a few hours on a phone bank in our local Obama headquarters. It's been a while since I did phone calls (Clinton/gore 96 to be exact -my kids are 4 and 8yrs old. Yes I give birth on election years, not this time though!)
People WANTED to talk. The economy was their biggest concern. They wanted to discuss and get answers and be informed. It made me feel better about this process.
Most were for Obama, or leaning toward him. The electorate I was calling is slightly more Republican than Democrat so this was heartening to me.
My sense was that this time people are voting FOR someone as opposed to AGAINST someone. It seemed for most a well thought out decision . The undecideds were still gathering info. and trying to make a decision based on their concerns and the candidate's stand.
I was surprised and was thrilled.
Tara K - nope, I'm not a hockey mom. Hell, I'm not a mom. But I do adore hockey - GO BLUES!!
tonisjadine & 76cents - too true! Canvassing and phone banking taught me that my fellow voters are in desperate need of candidates willing to keep it real. Unfortunately, we are all too often stuck with candidates who insult our intelligence and work our last nerve. All the more reason why we need to get out there and work hard for the good ones!
I was doing some phone banking tonight. I live in Montana, so I got more "no thank yous" than anything.It felt ultimately satisfying though, and I was glad that I had the chance. Going door-to-door is better, you get to see the enthusiasm in people's eyes when they ask about the issues.