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Canvassing For Anybody But McCain
Everybody is sleeping in except you. You get up early because you're not sure where the Clinton campaign headquarters in South Bend is. And that's a good decision. Google maps wants you to use a cross street that's not there, and you get lost for 10 or 15 minutes trying to find the storefront that houses the Clinton campaign.
The phone bank is working already, All women. All over 50. The volunteer coordinators, a couple of guys and a woman are in their 20s. You ask them how it's going. They tell you it's tied for the state and we're losing by a point or two in South Bend.
You pick up a folder of addresses, go over the driving directions with your coordinator, and get out of the office before you get stuck with two people from Ohio who don't want to go out by themselves.
It's a 15 minute drive out to the suburbs.
What you're looking for is 79 voters, hidden somewhere among a couple of hundred houses in two subdivisions. These are voters who call themselves Democrats or Independents and haven't declared for Obama or McCain. For all you know, some of them may actually be committed to Hillary Clinton. With two days to go until the Primary, you're trying to figure out if any of them are going to vote for Clinton. They'll get a call on Tuesday. If the rest of them are going to get a call, it will have to come from Obama or McCain.
These subdivisions are not near filling stations, restaurants, fast food or any other kind of place that has a restroom. When you pass a soccer field, you note the location of the portable toilets for future reference.
As soon as you turn into the first subdivision, you notice two things. The houses are big and expensive, and there are no kids. Studying the names and addresses on your list, you see that the average age out here is about 70. McCain country.
You slap a Hillary for President sticker over the Oracle logo on your cap and slap another one under the Interstate Batteries racing logo on your windbreaker, grab your clipboard, and canvass the subdivision. This is not an inner city neighborhood that lets you park, then walk down one side of the street and back up the other. This is a neighborhood of culdesacs. Long distances between the houses on your list.
Most people aren't home. Dogs barking behind locked doors. Flyers wedged in the screen doors. Neighbors watching from across the street. And none of the neighbors is on your list.
Four hours later, you've found four people firmly committed to Clinton. Two firmly committed to Obama. Four who aren't going to vote, five or six who can't decide if they hate Bill Clinton or Jeremiah Wright the most. The rest of the people you talk to are undecided. What's important to them? Nothing much. Just undecided. Going to wait to make up their minds. You pitch the economy and they agree. You pitch the healthcare and they agree. You pitch the supreme court and they agree. And you suddenly realize you're pitching anything and anybody but McCain. Hell, you even pitch John Edwards when you run out of things to pitch. But these people are undecided.
The last house is the home of a middle-aged woman. When you ask her for her vote she says: You've got it. It's a positive note to end the day on.
When you get back to the campaign, the phone bank is still working hard. There are two men making calls with the women now. The coordinator says: How did it go? And two of the women stop talking and look at you like they really want to know what you think about how it's going. And you know what they want to hear.
The phone bank is working already, All women. All over 50. The volunteer coordinators, a couple of guys and a woman are in their 20s. You ask them how it's going. They tell you it's tied for the state and we're losing by a point or two in South Bend.
You pick up a folder of addresses, go over the driving directions with your coordinator, and get out of the office before you get stuck with two people from Ohio who don't want to go out by themselves.
It's a 15 minute drive out to the suburbs.
What you're looking for is 79 voters, hidden somewhere among a couple of hundred houses in two subdivisions. These are voters who call themselves Democrats or Independents and haven't declared for Obama or McCain. For all you know, some of them may actually be committed to Hillary Clinton. With two days to go until the Primary, you're trying to figure out if any of them are going to vote for Clinton. They'll get a call on Tuesday. If the rest of them are going to get a call, it will have to come from Obama or McCain.
These subdivisions are not near filling stations, restaurants, fast food or any other kind of place that has a restroom. When you pass a soccer field, you note the location of the portable toilets for future reference.
As soon as you turn into the first subdivision, you notice two things. The houses are big and expensive, and there are no kids. Studying the names and addresses on your list, you see that the average age out here is about 70. McCain country.
You slap a Hillary for President sticker over the Oracle logo on your cap and slap another one under the Interstate Batteries racing logo on your windbreaker, grab your clipboard, and canvass the subdivision. This is not an inner city neighborhood that lets you park, then walk down one side of the street and back up the other. This is a neighborhood of culdesacs. Long distances between the houses on your list.
Most people aren't home. Dogs barking behind locked doors. Flyers wedged in the screen doors. Neighbors watching from across the street. And none of the neighbors is on your list.
Four hours later, you've found four people firmly committed to Clinton. Two firmly committed to Obama. Four who aren't going to vote, five or six who can't decide if they hate Bill Clinton or Jeremiah Wright the most. The rest of the people you talk to are undecided. What's important to them? Nothing much. Just undecided. Going to wait to make up their minds. You pitch the economy and they agree. You pitch the healthcare and they agree. You pitch the supreme court and they agree. And you suddenly realize you're pitching anything and anybody but McCain. Hell, you even pitch John Edwards when you run out of things to pitch. But these people are undecided.
The last house is the home of a middle-aged woman. When you ask her for her vote she says: You've got it. It's a positive note to end the day on.
When you get back to the campaign, the phone bank is still working hard. There are two men making calls with the women now. The coordinator says: How did it go? And two of the women stop talking and look at you like they really want to know what you think about how it's going. And you know what they want to hear.
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Billy, thanks for the insightful commentary on what day-to-day voters are thinking about. I know I'm prone to stumbling into the trap of forgetting that everyone else isn't madly refreshing the home page of TPM to see what the latest news from both campaigns is.
This quote, in particular, stands out:
I'm totally frustrated that an issue like that is how people might decide to cast their votes. I mean, that's probably a condescending thing to say; who am I to determine what should be important to someone else? But still, is that really a function of individuals deciding that antipathy toward someone associated with a candidate is the best deciding factor, or is that a larger failure of the media to present the other factors involved in this race?
May 3, 2008 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're backing the wrong candidate, dope.
But then again, it makes sense that an ass would back a liar. Right?
May 3, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
BionicSoy, I think that was an unfair and pointless comment to make. For one thing, Billy didn't even discuss in this post why he's backing Clinton; he's done that already.
As an Obama supporter, I think that acontextual name-calling directed at someone for simply supporting a different candidate is demeaning to the Obama campaign. A well-reasoned discussion on why Clinton's approach to the gas tax is disturbing would have been more appropriate -- but still off-topic.
May 3, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to agree. That is not to say, Bionic, that I don't agree with you on many, many of your posts. Hillary's dealings are disgusting to no end and Billy has posted things that are just as disgusting. This is where your comment would have been more than appropriate. I, like you, will post any truthful information I have to debunk Billy's claims and try to ensure she is not elected.
This post is, however, different. This post is one of those rare moments were Billy shows a moment in reality where there is no snark, no degradation. It is in this sense that I find this post commendable.
May 4, 2008 12:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't be an ass.
May 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
To be sure, my comment was not directed at Billy.
May 3, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would have gotten a low rating from me, if we had such.
May 4, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
If that is not a grackle, I don't know what is.
May 4, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
And if that shirt doesn't magnify a grade A retard ... you know the rest.
May 4, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, I can't believe that was your response to this diary. How does that accomplish anything? Billy does not support your candidate, but he is "pitching anything and anybody but McCain". I think he deserves a lot of credit for giving up his day, go into Republican dominated areas, and advocate for Democratic candidates. You really were out of line with that comment.
Billy, thanks for your efforts to defeat McCain, which I truly thought was the objective of the posters here.
May 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't mind him. He's just one of the personal trolls I've picked up around here. Actually, there are a couple of people who comment on TPM that I dislike so intensely that I have to say something every time I see their name. So I know how he feels. I don't take it personally. His stock is pretty low with the readership right now.
May 3, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
And your stock is like Bear Stearns'a few weeks ago. And I'm J.P.Morgan kicking your ass.
May 3, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
"licking". Grackles sometimes get confused and think they wear boots, but they're mainly all tongue and ass.
May 3, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Likewise, champ.
May 3, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
McClainton is one candidate, otherwise known as the status quo. Wake Up.
May 4, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy,
1) how about a post about the anatomy of being undecided. What's going on that makes someone undecided?
2) Are you having fun?
May 3, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my experience, 1) has a lot to do with apathy and ignorance. I don't mean ignorance like stupid, but just the lack of information--about the candidates, about the country, about everything--and a lack of motivation to learn. They've got issues important to them, but they don't connect those issues to politics or politicians. The race is an abstract and far-removed thing from buying groceries or remembering to set up Tivo.
May 3, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
In my case, it isn't that I'm undecided, I'm not. I will vote for whomever the dems put up.
I am familiar with both candidates and their positions. I prefer Obama's views on some, Clinton's on others. To me, I'd have rather had Edwards in there, but I voted, and I lost. Neither of the leftovers is "left" enough for me.
I think the fact that the two candidates are so close on issues has a lot of people yawning. The bickering between the two factions gets more sophomoric every day. It's almost like a soap opera.
I think it's pretty silly to assume that undecided voters aren't educated on the topics, on the contrary, they're educated about the important ones.
Like me, they just see centrist Dem. That's a far sight better then what they have now.
May 3, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd argue that educated undecided voters are in the extreme minority. Then again, I might have a bias because my peers are young and generally don't care enough to know that candidates' platforms are similar. And, I think the majority of those who do care but also feel that both candidates are too centrist (and I include myself here) have decided by this point in the contest.
I don't mean this to disparage you, I just don't think your situation is commonplace workerbee. :)
May 4, 2008 3:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I don't think you were putting me down. :)
My peers are older, and they're watching the race, but are getting weary.
I think we all are. Primary season is too long. I think we should take a page from the Brits. Everyone has the same amount of money to spend and they get 6 weeks.
We'd probably end up with more choices, and have better turnout because attention spans would not be so sorely tested. We also wouldn't have to put up with all the mud-slinging.
When I think of the millions of dollars going into this race, and all the better things that could be done with those dollars, it makes me sad.
May 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
The millions of dollars were not taxpayer money.
How much have you donated? After all, you've said you own two homes...
May 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't say they were taxpayer dollars, and what's with the stalking?
If you keep it up, I'll flag you for it.
May 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
So: you talked about the millions of dollars going into the campaign and bemoaned their use. I pointed out that they weren't tax dollars and therefore can be spent in any way as the people who have them see fit.
To think that these same dollars would be going to the public in other ways is naive. That is the point.
And there is no evidence of stalking. Nice try.
May 4, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure there is. Plenty. Keep it up and they'll be more. Stalking is very uncool.
If that money was spent on other progressive issues or even (gasp) consumption, it would serve the public better.
Obviously.
May 4, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that what you call it when they follow you around and argue with every post or comment? It is sort of spooky. Although I'm guilty of it sometime. Trying to break the habit. Lately, I've been picking on Tena for some reason. Maybe I miss her old avatar.
May 4, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeed.
It's creepy. Don't do it.
May 4, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy:
Stalking is more like when someone posts:
;-)
May 4, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cherry picking a comment without a link is quite creepy.
But then, you don't want people seeing my comments in context, do ya?
Otherwise they might conclude, correctly, that you start these little drama queen hissy fits.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/05/universal-health-care-is-good.php#comment-2779578
Can't have that.
May 4, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again:
It's private money. How much do you donate to the cause? People spend private money on things that benefit them. Even charitable foundations are set up to ensure that the people who establish them see the money go where they want the money to go -- for whatever reason.
For what it's worth, your current candidate (Obama) is in the race precisely because of the private funding from a large group of people. Some of us have believed that he could actually bring change for a while now. That's money being spent on changing things.
May 4, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much do YOU donate to the cause. How many houses do you have. How old are you? What do you do for a living? Where did you grow up? Give me all your personal information without asking me for any so I can mock you.
Creep.
May 4, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, thanks for the post. It's always great to hear first-person accounts of what the front lines are looking like right now.
May 3, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've read Billy's other comments, so believe me, I'm justified.
May 3, 2008 7:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, you aren't.
May 3, 2008 7:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, yes I am.
May 3, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed.
May 3, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give Billy a break here, this is the closest thing to a conciliatory gesture he's given Obama fans here, it may even be the first hint of a subtle mea culpa. Expect this from a lot of Hillary supporters with political nstinct, as the writing on the wall becomes mre graphic, they will bend their words to be less and less critical of Obama, and while they will never come out and actually support him here, they WILL vote for him in the general.
They will claim they had to "hold their noses" but I know a person who hates the smell of lilacs, and holds their nose whenever thay are around them.
May 4, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
hah!
May 4, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think more in terms of
http://youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM
May 4, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, I salute you for going out and working for your candidate. I disagree with her, but she is lucky to have people like you working for her. I hope we will all be at peace with the results, and that they are fairly determined.
(AND SOON!)
May 3, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Hillary revels in the pack of gullible dopes who support her.
In fact, let's all bow down to her polyester pantsuit and helmet hairdo to soak in more token gimmicks and lies!
Ahhhh. Don't you feel refreshed, Billy the Clown?
BTW. I hail from New York, so I know Hillary's better than most commenters on TPM.
May 3, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoah! Everybody back off. B.S. has invoked the dreaded "New Yorker" defense. This is a dangerous man, folks. Proceed with caution.
With no due respect B.S., you are perhaps the worst representative Obama's commitment to hope, unity, and new politics that I have ever seen. Are you sure that you're not a Clinton supporter?
May 4, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a native New Yorker.
(chortle)
I was born in Manhattan. at Beth Israel. I don't think Hillary Clinton is evil.
She is, a politician.
May 4, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Am I supposed to be Obama-incarnate to make a damn comment? I'm not trying to represent Obama. I am supporting Obama with my opinions. Don't get confused, Mr. Rainbow Collar.
May 4, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention he's also the worst representative of New York!
At least now we're allowed to throw empty beer bottles at him like real New Yorkers do.
Boo! Hiss! Bionic Soy Nut!
May 4, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can't say that Billy ain't a fine writer. By the end of his piece, it's that the real winner of the afternoon was McCain, a bad sign for dems all around.
May 3, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only in those subdivisions. They were like what Steven Spielberg subdivisions would be like if the kids just stayed there and got old and died instead of moving on when they grew up.
May 3, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent post Billy. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
May 3, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I admit I've been waiting too, Billy. Missed you all day! :-)
Thanks for your report, your efforts, everything.
NB: I want to tell you I think this piece is really good as the foundation for a "story" (meaning, you could turn it into fiction or memoir). It needs fleshing out: more sensory details, some dialogue, and a little emotional tension, and presto, you'd have a Mona Simpson piece.
May 3, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The thing is, I think I really want to be in NC, where a Hillary victory could end it, instead of playing defense in Indiana where an Obama victory could end it. I get the feeling that it's going to be another tie. She wins Indiana, he wins NC, on to Oregon v. KY and WVA. Nothing settled. So I think there is probably more energy in the Obama camp near the Illinois border. And maybe in the Clinton camp in NC. Be good to hear from someone in one of those places. Maybe I'll get more interesting areas Monday and Tuesday.
May 3, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, screen personalities aside, I have to say that if Obama just wins in NC it will be essentially over. Run out the scenarios and she can't get close in delegates. Obama will need a hundred supers to "win" the primary.
Both candidates have demographic problems now. I do not believe that super-delegates will take this away from Obama and alienate Black voters, historically the most loyal of dems.
May 3, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think it's about pledged delegates anymore. It's about the emotions of the delegates now. If he were to beat her in Indiana, the emotion would break his way. If he were to lose to her in NC, the emotion would break her way. Just my opinion, of course.
I'm worried that old guy had a heart attack or something the other night.
May 3, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll think she'll take Indiana, but are you saying that if she loses you actually think she'll drop out?
May 3, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm convinced she will. Unless by some wierd twist of fate she loses IN but wins NC. If that happens, I'll know that the gran refuto of the universe is confounding me again.
May 3, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really? Even though Kentucky and WV are just a step past it? I mean, she's going to win HUGE!!! in th ose states. Honestly, I don't see her dropping out even if she lost both.
I don't really think we'll get a chance to find out who's right b/c I've pegged Indiana as a win for her for awhile now.
And if it flip flops and he takes Indiana while she takes NC? I think we'll all be thrown on our asses if that happens. And it would be the final nail in the coffin of polling reliability this time around.
You still predicting a crater in his NC voters?
May 3, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Old guy would have a heart attack if Obama loses NC.
I think your read on emotions is right. The question is how will the super-delegates decide the issue? Emotion alone? Political reality? We're in new territory, observing this process at a new level of detail and without an understanding what the details mean. We've got so much insider "information" that we may be outside the political reality.
I'm a strong Obama supporter but have no interest in pumping up numbers. It is what it is.
I think she wins Indiana easily by +7 or more. He holds on in NC by +4 or less.
I don't know what happens next. Even if the super-delegates believed she would do better in the general, I don't believe that the political reality allows them to overturn Obama's numbers.
If she wins NC, that's the game changer. At that point, the super-delegates might have "cover" to make the move.
May 4, 2008 2:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
He didn't have a heart attack.
May 3, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gabby Hays? You must be as old as I am. Nice writing by the way.
May 4, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
He lives!
May 4, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yay! I was wondering where the heck you got off to. I'm older than you. Especially if you count the time I spend in the future.
May 4, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy,
The reason I mentioned Mona Simpson is because she captures exactly how oppressively depressing the Midwest is. Your blog captures some of that, too (which is why I hope you'll add some details and expand the piece). So it's not just because you are worried about a tie on Tues. It's that Indiana is depressing as hell! I know, I've driven from Cincinnati to Chicago many times. The bulk of Indiana is a misery.
Hillary needs you in IN more than she needs you in NC. Granted, it would be much more scenic in NC (spring is beautiful there), and therefore easier on the eyes, but she needs every vote she can get in those lonely South Bend subdivision cul-de-sacs.
Here's an interesting if long article about Obama's total failure to capture hearts and minds throughout Appalachia to cheer you up (the following quote refers to a map of a region spanning several states):
No, it's not over on Tues, Billy, but hang in there. You're doing great!
May 3, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I strongly disagree with you about Indiana. I was born and raised in St Louis, but went to grad school at the Univ of Michigan. I drove back and forth between St Louis and Ann Arbor more times than I care to count, and Indiana was the pleasant part of the drive. Central IL and southern MI are wearisome, but Indiana is beautiful. Plus there is a good food near the highway in Fort Wayne and a great series of bagpipe bands in northeast IN.
May 3, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I-74 between Cincinnati and Indianapolis is not beautiful. Nor is I-65 from Indy to Chicago. Must be Clinton country.
Have you ever driven through Gary, Indiana, Greg? Not beautiful either.
May 4, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have driven through Gary on my way to the International Herpes Virus Symposium in Madison WI in 2004. I agree that "beautiful" was not the word I would have used to describe it (especially the portion of it where we pulled off for gas). Still and all, it is not really fair to disparage the whole state based on just one corner of it.
May 4, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Much more than "just one corner of it." Look at a map. I've seen miles of Indiana. Traveled the length of I-80 too. I didn't disparage the entire state, just the bulk of the non-idyllic part. Compared to North Carolina's scenic beauty, however, Indiana doesn't come close. You should check out NC some time.
And the Midwest is depressing. I lived in the Midwest for 30 years. It's not my cup of tea, but I don't have a problem if you like it.
I've even been to St. Louis and thought it was a pretty city. Had a picnic in the Gateway Arch park. Does that make you happy?
May 4, 2008 1:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
is that what is on your shoulder? the Midwest?
May 4, 2008 2:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, I don't live in the Midwest anymore. Hostile Obama supporters get to me now.
May 4, 2008 3:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
No argument about NC. It really is gorgeous. My best friend was married in the mountains in NC and the drive to the wedding was one of the most enjoyable hours of scenery in my life. I still think, however, that you are being unfair to IN. I have driven those same drives over those same highways and found them pleasantly lush and sylvan.
May 4, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Politics on the Supreme Court--What the Numbers Say
Brian Tamanaha
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2008/05/politics-on-supreme-court-what-numbers.html
Four the five most conservative Supreme Court Justices are currently sitting on the bench, Thomas, Scalia, Roberts and Alito. The bickering has to stop now or we will end up with a fifth vote, one what I think we all agree is the "wrong" side, when John Paul Stevens or Ruth Bader Ginsburg retires. After 2000, everyone can agree that SCOTUS has an impact on daily lives. Judiciary hearings have become kabuki theater since Bork. Thomas still has a chip on his shoulder about his. Rational minds have to stop saying that they will take theri vote and stay home if their candidate is not on the ballot in November. Pass it on.
May 3, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like to refer to this group of misfits as the Bush/Nader Court. Really, you gotta thank old Ralphie for getting us into this mess.
And then there's the Bush/Nader War in Iraq.
May 3, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am always surprised how many of my fellow Americans do not understand how the Constitution works. I have Senator Robert Byrd and a pocket copy with me right now. Third parties are a tempting option sometimes, but are really an option with the electoral college. Even if a third party becomes viable the election is thrown into the House and then were are you without a sizable caucus? I have a lively discussion with a co-worker every four years about how Nader did nothing from 2000 to 2004 to really build a strong option, either Green or Reform, to Gush/Bore as Bill Maher used to say. Those who were so naive as to vote for Nader should take full responsibility for the current SCOTUS. Protest votes are for the primary season; you are in love. I will not vote for Jello Jay next week. Then in the fall I will fall in line; I watch C-SPAN adn their are few Eisenhower Republicans left.
May 3, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
There were a lot more people who stayed home than voted for Nader. Gore had his problems on the stump (helped horridly by the media, including so-called progressives), and had trouble breaking out and taking credit for the precious 8 years. Many Democrats fell into the "Bush and Gore are about the same trap". Blaming it all on Nader voters is a bit too convenient. We can probably blame it all on Broward County if we want as well - doesn't get us closer to the overall picture. Gore ran a spotty campaign - I remember a question in the debates about what he would tell youth. He launched into prescription benefits and social security. What a wonk. He could have done global warming, internet cities, whatever. Perhaps he blew a half million youth votes just there, who knows.
May 3, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
We all love Gore now for what bored us eight years ago. He did not want Bubba on the stump with him because he was also lied to. Based on Willy's performance now can you blame him? I know, if Gore had only won my WV or his TN . . . My workmate had been working hard long distance on his cousins in SC this year. "Think! Why do you vote Republican? What have they done to help the poor working stiff? How Christian are the actual policies?" The solutions to the butterfly ballot have been worse than the original problem. A a programmer I refused to vote on the touch screens in 2006 and chose optical scan. At least there is a paper ballot. I don't think Broward County alone was the problem. With 51-49 elections it is too easy to flip the results. We need OVERWHELMING TURNOUT to prevent this in FL and OH and PA and everywhere. My three 18-25 daughters convinced me to stand for election as a WV county delegate for Barry. Turnout, turnout, turnout.
May 3, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Prescription benefits bored me 8 years ago. I understood why he pitched them, but when he was given a moment to geek out on new tech and cyberstuff, he fell back on pandering to old folks. Spread the wealth, fella, spread the wealth.
May 4, 2008 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I voted for Nader in 2000. Just wanted to say that. Mostly it was because I thought that a sizable minority vote could impact policy decisions and mainstream political positioning. I never bought the "Gore and Bush are the same" argument, either. And if I hadn't known the electoral college would act as a buffer, I would have voted for Gore. But as it was, I am entirely comfortable with my decision to cast a "protest vote" in solid blue California in the hopes that the Green party platform would get more visibility.
May 4, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It shocks me to write the following words, great post Billy Glad. I forgot I was reading and could actually see and experience the narrative.
May 3, 2008 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great post, Billy. It reminds me of the many afternoons my son and I wandered around neighborhoods in Bucks County doing the same thing for Obama -- though from the sounds of it, the Obama offices had a more diverse group of volunteers. Democracy in Action, gotta love it.
May 3, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, Its a day in the life of Indiana.....Are you surprised? :)
May 3, 2008 9:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy quit wasting your time. Hillary's done like her pick in the Derby:
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YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP
Hillary Clinton enthusiastically picked a filly named Eight Belles to win the Kentucky Derby and compared herself to the horse. Eight Belles finished second. The winner was the favorite, Big Brown. Eight Belles collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line, and was euthanized shortly thereafter.
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May 3, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you have a point?
May 3, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Horse Barack picked is still alive.
Hillary's pick is sleeping with the fishes.
May 3, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geez, grow up!
From a fellow Obama supporter...
May 3, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh it's a cute little story, let the grackle have his bile stew. I care about the actual elections, not the Derby.
May 3, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, don't blame me because Polyester Pantsuit picked a dead horse. I'll take a lot of criticism, but I won't stand for that.
May 4, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Mr Glad,
A fine post, but I expected nothing less from you. Your description of suburban cul-de-sacs made me smirk, because I remember remarking to Barista Berry as we canvassed in Indianapolis that they must be giving us the easy streets on account of the fact that we were out of towners. We easily knocked on over 200 doors on Saturday, but we scarcely walked more than 10 blocks all told. Just one little 2 bedroom next to another, next to another, next to another, etc. I tip my hat to you for your work, even as I root for the other side.
May 3, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I remember you warning me Indiana wasn't going to be easy.
May 3, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you ever hear the song Indiana Wants Me (Lord I Can't Go Back There)? I was 9 when the song came out, and I had no idea what it was about. So I thought the refrain was Indiana was mean. If you listen to the clip, it sounds plausible. :-)
May 4, 2008 2:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Greg went out on a limb about a month ago and predicted an IN win for Senator Obama. He can outscoop Zogby around these parts if he's right. And, if Greg is right, that will be my consolation if Hillary loses there on Tuesday-- emphasis on if though (let's not get carried away).
May 4, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
geez, or at least it seems like a month ago already!
May 4, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the great post. Was that you canvassing? If so, thank you for that also
May 3, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, great post, Billy. You tell a damn good story. And even though you're canvassing for the competition right now, I'm glad that if Obama wins this nomination, he'll have you in his corner for the GE.
May 4, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
ARGH!
IF I WANT A MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE, I'LL GRAB WENCH HILLARY!
ACQUIRE! MERGE! MARAUD! DILUTE! DILUTE!
ARGH!
May 4, 2008 12:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
M, N, O, P, Q .... You take the next one Peet!
May 4, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
And that, my friends, is democracy at work. Great post! Thanks for the view of what it's like on the ground!
May 4, 2008 12:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Geez, I just realized I can no longer use the phrase "my friends" without sounding like . . like. . . you know who. Argh!
May 4, 2008 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, but do you say it warmly and with recognition, or it is flat-lining pablum?
May 4, 2008 3:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain = flatlining pablum...
LOL, that's some of the best, most accurte imagery we've had the benefit of here.
May 4, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the post. I very much enjoyed reading it.
May 4, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary Clinton has endorsed John McCain for Commander in Chief ahead of her fellow Democrat, Senator Obama. Hillary has also threatened to Obliterate Iran, much like War Monger McCain sang about bombing that nation.
Hillary voted for the War in Iraq, and voted with Kyl/Lieberman to set the stage for Bush to attack Iran.
Hillary is echoing McCain's moronic gas tax holiday pandering.
Hillary is now out gunning Charlton Heston. She is now running around Indiana with her hands stuck in an ice bucket, in order to hold her gun in her COLD DEAD HANDS.
Hillary is McCain. Which right wing pander bear do you prefer?
May 4, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just when you thought it was safe to back in the blogosphere.
May 4, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Enjoyed the post. Thx.
May 4, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Add my thanks for a great post --- geography is frustrating right now, but I had a little on-the-ground in NH, for Obama, and it is a unique experience. Very good feeling and you express it/share it extremely well.
"five or six who can't decide if they hate Bill Clinton or Jeremiah Wright the most" --- Sad, very sad. And I'm sorry for you that you couldn't use the logical response to that one: "Well, Bill Clinton will wind up IN the White House and Jeremiah Wright won't." (Sorry, I admit to be partisan.)
I'll also add my disgust at the "contributions" of Bionic Soy. It may not bother you but, as an Obama supporter, it sure as heck bothers me. I gather that's what he's claiming to be - for Obama - but have seen enough of that sort of BS to know that he's not *for* anyone or anything ... just finding a stage and then being as grating as possible to that particular audience. Probably has another identity on a generally pro-Clinton site and makes ugly to the Obama supporters who are brave enough to post there. Tearing down - anything! - is so ridiculously easy that only the bullies get any sort of thrill or sense of satisfaction.
May 4, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess you missed about a million of Billy's previous posts. Wake up, dopes!
May 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, I guess you didn't see Clinton squirming when Georgie Porgy tried to make up for his atrocious behavior in the last debate, by grilling Clinton this morning. Clinton can't even keep her damn lies straight. I am absolutely baffled that clowns like you give her the time of day. And are dumb enough to actually walk the streets and canvass for her? For what? For her to end up president and pass the Columbia Trade Deal? Oh, but she wasn't for that. Like she wasn't for NAFTA, right? But wait, the truth came out, and she DID push NAFTA -- which cost Americans THREE MILLION manufacturing jobs. But then she lied about that again this morning, didn't she? Oh my God, I don't know what to believe. Maybe I'll just believe in her Bosnia story. Because if I can't trust Hillary Clinton, who can I trust?
I cannot respect someone who would rather attempt to destroy the whole democratic party, than concede defeat.
I mean, come on, George Bush isn't even dumb enough to tell another country that he would "obliterate them."
Wake the fuck up!
May 4, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And now this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/04/clinton-camp-considering_n_100051.html
Who can honestly respect these gutter tactics?
May 4, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you Billy. That was a lovely post and if that is not a day in the life of anybody working on a campaign!
I try to register people to vote everyday and a majority of them decline. Even when they are strident an vocal in their views, they refuse.
I tell them if you don't vote you can't complain. One guy told me sure , he could.
Some of them say they are afraid of Jury Duty. These are people who have no jobs for the most part!Not that that is a good thing but even in the small chance they were called , what else have they got to do?
So many of them don't like the way things are but have no faith any change is possible.
It is all pretty disheartening!
Anyway, very nice post. I appreciate you.
May 4, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bionic, you are becoming the Matthew Weaver of the Obama supporters.
Genghis is not a retard; I can't even believe you said that. I am not a dope, neither are the other polite Obama supporters on this thread. We can strenuously disagree with Billy at times, but it's no reason to insult everyone who won't join you in being rude to him.
I respect most Hillary supporters much more than I ever will Hillary. Fortunately, the other Obama supporters on this thread are exhibiting the civility that will help us pull together a month from now. Civility, what a concept.
May 4, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll practice civility when Hillary stops lying, pandering and kneecapping. That might take a looooooooooooooong time.
May 4, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
What, so you're using the machinations of a politician in order to justify uncivil behavior toward people who are only related in that they care about and follow politics? That's absurd.
May 4, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are feeding my personal troll. I'm trying to teach it to eat only from my hand. If you kick it twice you are going to have a relationship. Anyway, Bee just told me stalkers can be flagged. Sounds more humane than neutering and spaying. So I'm going to take it down to the troll shelter and have it flagged.
May 4, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Clinton's wife 2008!
May 4, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, I think it's the picture but I laughed.
May 4, 2008 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
And actually, the majority of my posts are civil. Billy, however, does not warrant civility. He has been vile, sarcastic, crass and juvenile in his previous posts. Likewise Genghis on occasion -- although, to be fair, to a much lesser degree than Billy.
So to make a long story short, I don't respect those who show no respect.
May 4, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I liked this post. And I am an Obama supporter.
I liked the specificness of it, the picture of a certain corner of america, and the fact that the author was describing his experiences in the "real world" rather than the blogspere.
And I believe Genghis should be forgiven for his pink shirt.
May 4, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only if it stays that color... ;-)
May 4, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink