I intended my final GOTV article to cover the $330,000 that was dumped into Ro Khanna’s super PAC after the FEC filing deadline allowing those donors to remain anonymous until after the election, but yesterday’s dinner changed that. You can read the coverage by Josh Richman of the San Jose Mercury News. Instead I want to share an experience from yesterday’s canvassing.
Surely many here have seen how I deal with the trolls and charlatans that come here to spread misinformation or scam other Daily Kos members. Often with a heavy dose of snark, I mock and taunt the trolls, yet still try to provide facts with links so others can find the truth.
Well, to the dismay of the Ro Khanna campaign, I’ve taken my show to twitter, pushing back against the wild accusations flung by them at Congressman Mike Honda. I’ve been merciless and relentless. No doubt my new twitter followers imagine me raging, ranting and rancorously ripping Ro while canvassing as I do online, but they would be surprised to learn I follow the lead of my little one.
The point of canvassing is to remind people to vote. That does not mean saying, "Hey, it's illegal to vote for Ro Khanna!" But instead, it is important to explain positive information about Mike Honda. ~ TheLittleOne
To me, the act of voting is more important than who you are voting for. Although I’m seeking support for Honda, my worry is if we don’t vote, why would our representatives bother to represent us. They need to know we are watching, that we care, or they will only serve those who willingly spend large sums of money to have their voices heard.
A few weeks ago it was this belief that caused me to spend more time than I should have listening to a Khanna supporter as he passionately told of his battle with the local government officials in his effort to get more support for the little league. I sincerely thanked him for his involvement and dedication.
Yesterday’s canvassing packet covered one of the many working-class neighborhoods of Silicon Valley, a turf I feel at home in. With me were my 10-year-old daughter, and Todd, a childhood friend and fellow plumber. After Todd felt comfortable, he and my little one split off, allowing us to cover more houses. As expected, the people I spoke with were strong Honda supporters, some had already sent their ballots in or were eager to cast them. Only a few were unfamiliar or undecided on the candidates.
At one door, while looking for a young Democrat to confirm she sent in her ballot, a woman instead greeted me, closer to my age and very curious why I was looking for her daughter. Explaining I was just a volunteer trying to get out the vote for Congressman Honda, her demeanor changed. She dreaded the pile of glossy flyers with their glossy slogans that sat on her table, but she was determined to practice her right earned when she became a naturalized citizen. She wondered if maybe I could help.
She asked for information on the candidates and why Honda had my support. I explained that on the issues, Khanna’s stated stances were similar to Honda’s, but never having been elected to any office, Khanna has no record with which to compare. I gave a brief bio on both candidates. Telling her Khanna was a patent-lawyer who served in Obama’s Commerce Dept., her eyes lit up as I mentioned Obama, so I pointed out that Obama endorses Honda. Then continued, Khanna lost a run for congress in 2004, adding he now lectures on and has written a book on economics.
She stopped me when I told her of Honda’s time in the Japanese internment camp to tell me that she had learned of that in school and proudly explained she is taking new courses to further her education. I continued by telling her that Honda went to college at San Jose State University, and volunteered in the Peace Corps. He served twenty years in education as a teacher, principal, and was eventually selected for the school board. He then served in elected offices with the county, state, and finally congress. She asked in broken English, “Why Ro no do this? Why do he not work his way up?” I just shrugged.
I explained my support for Honda was based on his long history fighting inequality and inequities. Honda is always on the side of the working-class, and being just an average working-class plumber, this was important to me. She exclaimed, “We are the same, working-class, I will vote for Honda!”
Getting the text from Todd, “Where are you, were you abducted?” reminded me I had other doors that needed knocking. The new Honda voter and I quickly discussed the importance of her sharing her dedication to voting with her daughters. But before I could leave, grateful for my efforts, she wanted to give me thanks in the form of food. A dish she just finished and promised I would love. I stood dumbstruck on her step as she packed the food in aluminum foil. Tears welled up as she handed me the package and said, “Thank you Mr. Glen …the working-class plumber.” Later as my family shared her gift, I learned she also spoke the truth, I loved her cooking, not only did it fill my belly; it filled my soul with joy.
My little one also had her reinforcing tale to share over dinner. At one door she and Todd found an undecided voter who challenged them to “convince” him why he should vote for Honda. Todd explained Honda’s involvement in BART’s extension into San Jose, but stumbled on the other accomplishments. My little one jumped in to explain that Honda cares about all people and is rated as the #8 Climate Hawk in the country - it was important to her that Honda wins this election. He was convinced.
Silicon Valley Kos: GOTV for Mike Honda Nov. 1-4
Mike Honda running for Congress
For Rep. Honda to defeat his "Fat Cat" opponent, he needs volunteers willing to canvass and phone bank. He has the needed voter support to win this hotly contested race, but he needs us to make sure they get to the polls.
TIMES: Nov. 1-3: 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm Nov. 4: 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 5pm
Canvassing and Phone Banking opportunities every day until election day, Tuesday November 4th.
>>>RSVP for all events here<<<
Daily Kos members and readers: If you would like to meet-up, send Glen The Plumber a KosMail or tweet.
RSVPs:
1. Glen The Plumber
2. remembrance
3. TheLittleOne
4. Eric (the plumber)
5. slowbutsure
6. Eileen
7. Brian82
8. Todd (the plumber)
9. Jan D.
10. Joe D.
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