General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy wife and I spent the day canvassing in Montgomery County Pennsylvania.
Last edited Sat Nov 3, 2012, 08:46 PM - Edit history (1)
We were sent to a very wealthy neighborhood with too big houses on too big lots. Wasn't sure what to expect from this crowd. We were getting in touch with known voting Democrats. We would remind them to vote, make sure they knew their polling place, and ask what time they were voting. Only came across a couple of 'Romney voters.' Both were more than happy to 'speak for their wives' who were on our lists. Not them.
Ugh.
My wife came across one 'undecided voter.' She was dressed up for a cocktail party in all black and white, and was getting ready to leave. She told her that she and her husband were 'leaning Democrat.' My wife described her as a 'mean girl,' because she said that my wife looked warm and liked her 'colorful outfit.' My wife thought she was 'undecided' because she liked to talk about herself.
I also came across one 'undecided voter.' I resisted strangling him and talked up Obama's accomplishments and 24 months of growth. He shrugged.
This was a surprisingly ethnically mixed neighborhood. We encountered a lot of people who were excited to vote. Several families of Middle-Eastern and Southern Asian decent. Most were happy to hear from us. Only one Latino family. They were extremely happy to hear from me.
I met a caucasian family of five, where the two youngest were voting for the first time. The oldest daughter is attending school in Baltimore and has already voted absentee. The rest of the family will be going together on Tuesday morning.
I encouraged all to vote straight Democratic.
It was cold. Cloudy and in the 40s, but with the wind chill it was in the 30s.
Worth every minute.
This is the (easily removable) sticker we would leave on doors, if nobody was home.
snacker
(3,619 posts)bluestate10
(10,942 posts)PCIntern
(25,584 posts)It sounds like my neighborhood...
onehandle
(51,122 posts)I'm in Penn Valley across from Narberth and your description sounded exactly like my block.
We are going to WIN...
McDiggy
(150 posts)...the people in this area honestly just annoy me. Stepford wife capital of PA. I only live here because I work nearby. I don't envy anyone tasked with trying to talk sense to any of them. They are all oblivious to the world as it relates to anyone with a household income under $150k/yr. They think I'm nuts because I cut my own lawn. No joke.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)However, that's a pretty long road, so if you are on a list, it might be another. You might get canvassed today. The lists are far from foolproof. A couple of people I talked to were surprised that another person in their household were not on our list.
Nobody was home at either of the two houses I hit on the short part of lower state I walked. I left a sticker at both.
Patiod
(11,816 posts)A neighborhood that had some black and asian families, but was was mostly Jewish - every other door seemed to have a different type of mezzuzah on the doorframe. It was also fun because there were also a huge variety of Halloween decorations, since trick-or-treating had been postponed until last night because of the storm.
Not a McMansion neighborhood, which I'm glad about (I've done that, and it's a lot of walking for the number of "hits" you get)
My list seemed to be at least half New Voters - lots of kids 18-22 who were away at college. The parents seemed annoyed that THEY weren't on the list "we vote Democratic in every election". I told them I'm pretty sure that the list didn't include "super-voters" like us that the party can count on to turn out, mostly new or erratic voters.
Generally a good experience. One Republican was itching for me to get to his house, and unhappy I skipped it.
"You don't want to know what I think of Obama!" he shouted, as I walked past.
"You're right, I don't," I said, cheerily.
I have to give him credit for laughing.
InsultComicDog
(1,209 posts)InsultComicDog
(1,209 posts)from me
amborin
(16,631 posts)RBInMaine
(13,570 posts)AllyCat
(16,222 posts)schedule tomorrow, but hoping to squeak out for a lit drop later.
Native
(5,943 posts)Much appreciated.
genna
(1,945 posts)I don't think his state has souls to the polls voting.
calimary
(81,466 posts)Thank you for doing your share and literally walking the extra mile.
Tumbulu
(6,292 posts)zentrum
(9,865 posts)KegCreekDem
(75 posts)It was a nice day and most of the folks in the rural areas around my town were very surprised and happy to have a fellow Obama supporter on their doorstep. One Dad was surprised and not happy to learn his son was on the Democratic GOTV list, but for the most part it was nice to get out and meet other Democrats in this red county. Once you get over the initial trepidation, it is really fun to canvass for Obama. Really.
Divine Discontent
(21,056 posts)to both of you!