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News from the ground in PA
I volunteered for an afternoon today in the Montgomery County area of PA, an eastern part of the state, a big Philly suburb, where Obama is expected to derive a good number of votes. The PA primary for Democrats takes place April 22nd, but the deadline for registration to vote in that primary is this coming Monday, March 24th. In PA, one cannot vote in the Democratic primary unless one registers as a Democrat.
Our mission was to encourage new registrations of Democrats or, more importantly, to register Independents or Republicans willing to switch to being Democratic voters for the primary.
From my afternoon hours greeting mostly white men in front of a large hardware/appliance store and a large private gym (a local place along the lines of a Gold's), I was struck by the number of guys who reported they had already registered to vote. There were those who asked me to help them switch, and my Obama affiliation was crystal clear, but who knows for whom they'll ultimately vote? The point is I have a feeling there'll be amazing turnout on April 22nd from folks here who are well aware the national spotlight is on them.
Obama has several weeks to climb back up in the polls in PA, and many who passed me on the way to their cars expressed interest or even excitement for the election in general. The Obama camp is emphasizing major door-to-door canvassing next week...
Comments (8)
Thanks for the update. I grew up and lived in PA all my life and just moved away a few months ago - man, I wish I could be back there for the next month! After so many years of the PA primary being essentially moot, it's now center stage and I'm missing it!! :) C'est la vie, I suppose!
March 22, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of the folks I registered today (a switcher) told me she was so excited that PA finally had a voice in a presidential primary! So your feelings are still quite alive in those who remain behind.
March 22, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dana-
I've been trying to figure out how to volunteer in PA. I'm in NY, but I want to go there for my spring break and help out on the ground. How did you get in touch with your particular volunteer group? Can you help me out?
Thanks:)
March 22, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi! I just checked with my contact in PA, Kevin, who asked that interested volunteers email him directly at:
klhartnett@gmail.com
He works for the PA Obama campaign based out of Philly. Good luck! Let us know what you see and hear on the ground....
March 22, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can also go onto the Pennsylvania part of the Obama site and see what/where they need people!
March 22, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
thanks so much! I'll e-mail Kevin and go to the site! I'm really excited.
plus. i love posts like yours. they are upbeat and not bashing on either party. there is too much hate on the blogosphere. your post is a breath of fresh air.
March 22, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks! I do feel very strongly for Obama and send his campaign money and, obviously, volunteer enthusiastically for him whenever I can. While I'd be seriously disappointed if he lost (I sobbed when Al Gore had to throw in the towel in 2000), I've lived long enough to know we must always keep an eye on The Big Picture.
I am so proud of the Democratic turnout around the country - much thanks to Obama and, yes, even to Clinton - and that bodes well for Democrats this year.
Obama fans who say you won't vote for her: I know you care as I do, but remember that should he win this nomination, which he has a great chance of doing, we'll really need Clinton's voters behind us all the way this fall! I'm not perfect on maintaining my own even-handedness about these two candidates, but I sometimes look up and am reminded...that Big Picture looms.
March 23, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was in a gas station in Dallas, Texas a few weeks back and several mid 50's and up white truckers were gathered around a table, and talked quite glowingly about how much they liked Obama. I was in shock. Now, I don't know what's happened since the Wright debacle to their opinions, but it cleared from my mind that only young white or blacks were interested in Obama's candidacy.
March 23, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
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