To preface this story, I have to mention that up until 3 years ago, I lived in Cleveland, Ohio. I worked very hard to get Kerry elected back then, and did some canvassing for MoveOn. They sent me to one of the city's richest suburbs, and the afternoon was spent being shooed away by some very hostile folks. I would love to say I made any difference at all, but I am pretty sure I didn't. So, when my girlfriend, Elaine, suggested we make the trip from New York to PA, to volunteer for the Obama campaign, I have to say, it was with a sense of dread that I agreed. She convinced me by saying how horrible we'd all feel if McCain won, and we didn't feel like we at least tried. I knew she was right. (Love that woman!) I can now tell you that I have not been so optimistic in, well.. 8 years.
First of all, arriving in Lancaster, there were many volunteers. So many that there were several classes for volunteer training. They instructed us to be cordial to McCain supporters, (I thought this would be very hard!) and brief. It was important that we talk to as many people on the list as possible.
There certainly were a lot of yard signs for McCain and Palin, all over the neighborhood I was in. The first part of our route was very rural, and there were great distances between homes, so Elaine and I opted to stay together for safety. A lot of homes where no one answered. Then our first answer, and what do you know? A young man who's not registered, and leaning towards Obama! We discuss issues with him, he's feeling pretty certain now, and we register him right there! I can't tell you what an awesome feeling that was! Not unlike giving birth, but a lot less messy, and we didn't have to feed or nurture him for 18 years after.
Then we hit more homes. One huge Obama supporter. Then another...and another..and another!!!! What's really striking to me is that they don't look like the kind of people I'd expect to turn this election around! Remember, this is a rural, mostly white community. They are mostly older and white. I'm not going to tell you that there were NO McCain supporters, but I will tell you there were VERY FEW. Sadly, one 88 year old man said he's been a Democrat his whole life, but he was NOT going to vote for Obama. He made it very clear that it was racial, but stopped short of hurling the N bomb. (Having 2 beautiful biracial children, it's always hard for me to stomach this. I remind myself I'm representing a cause, a change, and we move on.
A few more success stories, and then another guy, in his early 30's with a goatee, who closes the door in our face, stating he and his wife are voting for McCain. He closes the door, and we mark it down as a loss in the tally sheet and move on. A few doors down, and more success.. and we start back towards our car. Well, the guy with the goatee is out there, walking towards us, and I'm thinking, "Uh oh. Here comes trouble."
He actually is walking right towards us, and says, "Say, wait a minute. You know, I told you I was voting for McCain, but I have to tell you, I'm just not so sure." Elaine was pumped and she's asking him, "Well, what questions do you have about him? We'd love to answer anything we can!"
"See, I was in Iraq for 16 months, and the one thing that bothers me the most about him is his lack of patriotism. I mean, he doesn't put his hand on his heart when he says the Pledge of Allegiance!"
I'm assuming everyone reading on Kos knows the true story of the cropped photograph of Obama during the STAR SPANGLED BANNER, not putting his hand on his heart because... duh.. you're not supposed to!. So I told him the story, and he said, "See, I thought there was something more to it!" Then we discussed the flag pins, and how very often McCain doesn't wear one. We discussed the economy, which has really got this guy in doubts and even he was totally dismayed by McCain's actions. Then we discussed McCain's horrible record of voting on the 21'st Century GI Bill, and trying to take credit for it afterwords. He proudly exclaimed that bill was going to get him back in college! Elaine said, "Well, McCain wanted you to serve a lot longer before you were eligible! That was his excuse for voting against it! Weren't your 16 months there long enough?" and he totally agreed. He said when he got the assignment to Iraq his first thought were "Why the hell Iraq??" So, in short, people.. if the whole day of canvassing, and the 3 hour drive to and from had amounted to nothing but this moment, I have to tell you all with absolute certainty, I'd have done it again. In fact, if I can squeeze another weekend, between my day gig and jazz gigs, you can bet I will.