I have been logging in my hours with the Obama campaign for a month or so now. I have canvassed a lot in Santa Fe and once in El Rito. Here in northern NM I think we live in a bit of a Democratic bubble. Certainly Santa Fe is much like San Francisco, a veritable bastion of liberal leanings. But with all the buzz in the media about how hard it was going to be for Hillary voters to switch to Obama, and the hispanics were very much behind Hillary, I was worried about how it would go in my little rural village, El Rito. Granted, I only went out once for a few hours there, but it was significant that every door I knocked on was a Democrat who enthusiastically supported Obama, and unlike in Santa Fe where the lists we work with are all registered Dems, in El Rito it was door to door, no list. Northern NM has always been heavily, almost uniformly, democratic save for the few wealthy cattle ranchers and occasional yahoos, but it was heartening to hear their full-throated endorsement. Back in August I had talked to one of my old friends in El Rito and he had said that "America is not ready to elect a black man president," an oft-heard excuse to not vote for him, and I had thought that might be the general trend, so of course I was terribly relieved to hear people on-board with Obama.

In Santa Fe it's a little different. I have canvassed in a bunch of different areas around town. Most of the people aren't home, but most of the people I talk to are supporters. Many very interesting conversations, an occasional sourpuss who doesn't want to talk about it, doesn't want you on their property, is tired of being canvassed, hates politics, supports McCain't, whatever. But the supporters like to talk, are thankful for my efforts, and make the job of canvassing very enjoyable. I try to sign up volunteers, I give them information about voting, and on two occasions I have actually talked with undecideds (who the fuck is undecided?), one who said after our conversation "I'll probably vote for Obama." Part of the fun of canvassing is seeing the different neighborhoods, Wow! Santa Fe is a diverse city. It's kind of weird seeing how rundown and uncared for some people's houses are, and you get to look into some very nice gardens and yards. I've knocked on the doors of some interesting political people, including a state senator, the widow of the long-time Dem Party Chairman, and the cousin of the US Senate candidate Tom Udall (currently a member of the House of Reps.). Anyway, I rather enjoy canvassing, and I'll be doing even more of it now until the election. It's all about getting out the vote and hopefully frustrating any shenanigans by the GOP trying to keep people from voting.

According to a volunteer I met from Los Angeles who's worked in a number of campaigns, the Santa Fe Obama office is extremely well organized, and while I have only the Kerry campaign to compare it with, and there is no comparison, there was basically nothing going on with Kerry, it's nice to know that we've got a good organization. I think good organization is characteristic of the Obama campaign and it bespeaks a very strong campaign nationwide and a very hopeful presidency, built on a strong base of locally organized political entities around the country. In the old days (through the mid-80's) northern New Mexico was a solid Democratic bloc, with a strong and active network from the highest reaches of government down through to the community level, but for the past 20 years it's been pretty moribund as resources that used to flow to communities, which in turn got out the vote for the Democratic slate, have been increasingly directed toward corporate-style politics. Also, the strong Catholic sentiments of NM hispanics and the battle over abortion rights have complicated the picture for Democrats over the past decade or so. But I am excited over the prospect of a newly rejuvenated Democratic network in NM, as disgust with the current situation and some genuine enthusiasm for Obama and other Democrats has overcome past resistance. At the opening of the Espanola Obama office back in August, I saw a who's who of northern NM local politicos in attendance and pledging their active support and participation in getting Obama and the slate elected. It felt like a bolt of lightning had brought the lifeless corpse of the Democratic machine back to life. Just in time for Halloween. Just in time for the election.

It's Tuesday, a week before we know with any certainty just how bamboozled America has become, or not. I feel confident of a positive outcome, but I will be doing what I can to insure it.