Report on my canvassing today in Battleground MO, GOP stronghold SWMO

[usregimechange]

My Republican State Senator (MO-32) isn't aware that he has a next door neighbor who is a strong Obama supporter. Neither was I before I knocked on their door this afternoon. This is in an upper middle class sub-urban area in Joplin MO.

I met a leaning Obama Republican couple in the same general area. The husband said that he thought it was time to "give the Democrats a turn." His wife was undecided, liked Palin, but was not about to vote for the ticket just because she is a woman. She expressed concern about McCain because he wasn't "right for the job." It was a vague reason but I didn't argue.

Although I IDed more Obama supporters than last time (if you recall my post about canvassing in Carterville 2 weeks ago) there were a lot of McCain supporters in this area. Kerry won just 29% in this county. The median income for a household here is $37,188 and is $31,323 in the county. I would say the IDs were 2-1 McBush. This was in the wealthy part of Joplin metro area, in Duquesne (pop 1,640):



So basically it is a Republican stronghold of the Republican stronghold. I left many undecideds flyers and talked to them. Many misconceptions but the most important thing to do is connect with them on a personal level and give them a bit of information. Even though the majority were MuBush supporters I would say that the undecideds are definitely leaning Obama's way.

[crazy_vanilla]

1. my friend, kudos to you for your legwork

[OKNancy]

2. What would you say is the most common misconception?

The few I've talked to it is the tax situation. The McCain lies about who Obama will tax
are irritating because I guess if they repeat it enough, people will believe it.

[usregimechange]

3. That has to be on top. They look at me like I am nuts when I tell them the truth about it.

Second would have to be that he won't where the flag pin, isn't patriotic, etc.

[rvablue]

10. You're doing great work.

If so many people are talking about the flag pin, how about bringing several pics with you to show them otherwise.
He had one on last night.

[usregimechange]

13. Good idea.

[NC_Nurse]

4. Hats off to you! I don't know that I would dare knock on doors in this GA

neighborhood. Lots of Pubbies and I don't want to be lectured like my dad does to me ALL the time!
Yikes!

[usregimechange]

5. Ah, I don't spend much time with those folks.

[RubyDuby in GA]

11. You'd be surprised in some of the neighborhoods you'd think you were wasting your time in

I get a lot of good responses from people who say they just can't afford to be Republicans anymore.

[No Elephants]

12. K & R

[melody]

6. That couldn't have been easy -- thank you for your service to the cause n/t

[graywarrior]

7. You are a courageous canvasser.

Sounds like a tough area to canvass. Great job! And thanks for the update.

I canvassed my neighborhood and talked with 20 households. 18 are strong Obama supporters when yesterday they were undecided. Nice.

[usregimechange]

8. What area?

[graywarrior]

9. North Conway, on the Fryeburg, Maine border.

This town voted big for Hillary during the primaries. But to convince independents is tough. I think Obama closed the deal last night for a lot of voters in my area.