Today was the grand opening of the official Princeton Obama-Biden office and the organizers had volunteers coming out of their ears! This was a canvass then chow-down and celebrate with speakers event. About 100 people showed up at 10:00 this crisp and sunny fall morning to canvass the "easy-pickins" Mercer County area which consists primary of the cities of Princeton and Trenton (Obama heaven). Barrack beat Hillary by 10 points here during the primary despite loosing the state. With the outstanding foresight associated with community organizing, this office was strategically placed here to maximize volunteer energy since Bucks county PA is only about a 20-minute drive away.
We met this morning outside the office and divided into 5 major teams to canvass various areas sending volunteers out in pairs – 10 to 12 pairs per area. I went alone to the event (Mr. Tater had to work), but found a friend I knew from tabling events I hold at the local mall. The organizers gave us excellent training, but no clip boards and a diddly little pencil. I always bring spare clip boards and pens, just in case, along with extra buttons and bumper stickers because people LOVE free stuff.
My canvass buddy picked up our packets and we dove in. As we started to chart our course I discovered that she had been given the packets for my neighborhood! I was about to bang on the doors of my neighbors for Barrack and Joe (mixed feelings!). My neighborhood consists of several apartment complexes, high-end townhomes and McMansions owned largely by people who take the train from Princeton Junction into New York City.
Our canvass took 4 hours and we had about a 25% ‘at home’ rate. We were targeting "lazy voters," i.e. Dems and Indies who do not vote consistently. Overall, we got an outstanding response! We unearthed about 15 new volunteers (5 from one family alone). The five came from a professional gentleman from India who lived around the corner from me (and to whom I had never spoken before). He told me he was a huge Obama supporter and knew Joe from riding the train into DC. He said his whole family supported Obama and were willing to volunteer. Sure enough, the entire crew showed up at the new Obama HQ later in the day for the speakers event; Mom, Dad, wife, cousin, sister (these fabulous people were all fired up!)
Some of my neighbors were not so Obama friendly and others were true leaners - some of whom I feel we were able to tip in our favor. The Wall Street crisis played heavily on the minds of many and most did not know about McSame’s views regarding deregulation. I soon informed them. Also, talking about Barack’s advisors from the Clinton years seemed of particular interest. I would opine, "He’s a smart man who is incredibly even-tempered. He values the advice of experts – even dissenting opinions." People seemed to appreciate that insight.
The other remarkable issue was the Palin factor. After introducing myself to a woman who answered the door, she said abruptly, "I love Palin!" I stood there a little like a moose in the headlights when she burst out laughing, "I cannot stand that woman. She must not be allowed anywhere near the White House." Down the road another 40-something woman told me that she is too busy to volunteer, but loves Barack and implored me to do everything in my power to see that Palin does not win (not McSame, mind you, Palin).
Upon returning to the Obama office, we found the joint jumpin’! It is a huge office and excited Obama supporters were stuffed into every nook and cranny. We were so late after stopping for lunch that we had to listen to the speakers from the entryway. All I heard was, "Mrrphh mum gurble nurrh, Omahmah!" Whatever was said fired everybody up and a spontaneous YES WE CAN erupted!
Wonderful mix of people - America! Looks a bit different than the Republican Convention, no?
And the lot was filled with Obama-mobiles!
There is no better way to take back the White House than neighbor talking to neighbor – block by block and city by city. Guys, canvassing is critical. We can do this. Here are a few more tips to make it easier:
Never hesitate to arrive at an event to canvass alone – you will be paired with a buddy.
Don’t be afraid, you will be trained and for the most part, nobody asks things you cannot answer ‘good enough.’ Write down specific concerns and the Obama office will get back to them
Bring clipboards and a good retractable pen.
Take your sunglasses off on people’s door steps and smile when you introduce yourself.
Bring bottled water, a granola bar, sun screen and wear comfortable shoes.
Drop by your local Obama-Biden office...
And volunteer!