WP: Expatriates Feeling the Urge to Return and Campaign

[kskiska]

Overseas Volunteers Motivated by the Belief That the Election Is the Most Important in Their Lifetime

Five months ago, Anthony Glavin decided he had had enough. Not satisfied with observing the election campaign from his adopted home in Ireland, the Massachusetts-born editor and writer felt he had to get involved in some way; he itched to do something that would make a difference. So he took seven weeks off, leaving his family to work as a volunteer coordinator for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in Florida.

Glavin is one of scores of American expatriates who have given up days, weeks and even months of vacation time to return to the United States and help rally voters in battleground states.

What began as a steady trickle of overseas volunteers two months ago has developed into a concentrated final push in the last week before the election. Some expats are returning to their home towns in crucial swing states to take part in door-to-door canvassing; others are running phone banks or driving voters to the polls. A number have arrived in Florida to act as election observers.

Whether they are from as far afield as Japan or Europe or are simply crossing the border from Canada, these expat volunteers, for the most part describing themselves as anti-President Bush, say they are motivated by the belief that this election is the most important in their lifetime.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12531-2004Oct30.html

[JCMach1]

1. Yes, I would have loved to come back and do that

However, it's just not possible right now... :(

Instead, I continue my website and donate to candidates I feel are worthy...

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Thank you for your efforts...

in some ways, I wish I were in your place (geographically a UAE).

I've come to the realization that the demonaztion of 'liberals'' is analagous on so many levels to the persecution of the Jews in Nazi Germany. Yes, it sounds extreme...but it's true. Perception is 90% of the battle.

Though I've made it very clear to hubby that if GWB is elected, selected, steals, or otherwise somehow manages to appopriate another 4 years...we need to get out!!!! Unfortunately, we've figured that we just can't afford it. *Little whimper*

I'm still hoping America pulls this out with a decided victory with Kerry. I don't worry so much with our side as I do with the underhanded and dirty tricks Bush will pull.

[melody]

4. My .02

>Do not be a part of "the redneck agenda"

I am a redneck (which means a person of Scots-Irish ancestry) and I'm solidly pro-Democrat as is my entire family. Just wanted to make that point. The only "redneck agenda" in my family is getting the Shrub out of office and back to Crawford ASAP.

[JCMach1]

9. Not my words-- from the Green Day song... and yes, (gasp)

I am also a 'redneck' by your definition...

My father is undoubtedly the biggest redneck you would ever meet... almost the definition... However, he is the most fervent yellow dog Democrat I know.

But does * have a 'redneck agenda'? you bet your sweet patootie...

[wickerwoman]

2. I can't make it back either...

but I did encourage ten people to register for their absentee ballots. (One's a repuke though :-( )

[Zorra]

5. How can Bu$h possibly be so close in the polls? Expatriates, the

majority of new voters, young voters, and college students, former Nader voters, conservatives alienated by Bu$h, and all the people who voted for Gore in 2000 are going to vote for Kerry.

Logically, it all points to Kerry in a landslide.

It almost seems that the polls have to be rigged.

The only way Bu$h can "win" is through an election that is "fixed" by using electronic voting machines.

[Steelangel]

7. Definitely yes, polls are rigged

Few articles mentioned about it as well and suspect that Kerry will win in a landslide. So we will see what happen on Nov 2 & 3

[DannyRed]

11. The polls...

some are rigged, to be sure - stacked with an over-representation of registered republicans, over-representation of rural America, and so on...

Some are simply victims of technology - no cell phone or computer phone users can be reached.

ALL are victims of the massive surge in new registrations and "unlikely voter" activity - both of which are at all time highs.

[Jasper 91]

14. Your statements echo my thoughts exactly

I have no doubt that in a fair election , John Kerry would win . However , I worry that the Repugs will use any underhand method at their disposal to steal this election . I worry about the paperless trail on some touch screen machines , especially given that Walden O'Dell , the owner of Diebold , has promised Ohio to Bush . Surely his statement of intent should have disqualified him from supplying voting machines .

[For PaisAn]

16. Don't forget the military vote

Bush will probably still get more of the military vote than Kerry will but... Kerry draws a decent number of military & their families away from Bush because of the Iraq debacle.

[DannyRed]

6. That article is about ME and MY PEEPS!!!

Please check out http://www.sunshineandgators.com contribute - posts, cash, props, information, connections, whatever you can do to help.

We spent thousands of dollars and weeks of our time to get to Tampa...we are now canvassing and doing GOTV in Manatee County...Bye Bye Cruella Harris!!

[Heidi]

15. A heartfelt thanks

for all you folks are doing. That's what it's all about.

[expatriate]

8. me too ...

I couldn't actually get back, the fifteen hours across the Pacific and then more to get near family is more than my body can take, but it's amazing what I managed to do from here.

Donated, of course.
GOTV via actually contacting other expats as well as doing phone banking and emailing (thank goodness for cheap phone cards!)
Lots of writing and emailing regarding biased news coverage, Sinclair boycott, getting information about Kerry and about Bush out there.

Wish I could have done more. It's so scary watching the US from here, as we get news coverage that the US never sees.

I feel quite confident about Nov. 2. Haven't felt this way since Clinton beat Poppy.

[DannyRed]

10. You rock

we rock.

We will win.

Tsunami!

[tkmorris]

12. Hey you two.......

Thanks. I mean it. Just.........

thanks.

[DannyRed]

13. Do itashimashite!

Really - it is that important that we gators http://www.sunshineandgators.com raised 5000 dollars, spent 15 hours on a plane, and went to Florida for ~2 weeks - we are in Manatee county.

I cannot go due to stupid meetings and work requirements...so I am running communications and emergency logistics from my living room ADSL hookup...

Blogging for Democracy.

Is it possible to post our website here - we could use some more donations to cover costs...

???

Shameless begging - it's not just for breakfast!