On the subject of chili and why Kerry will win...

[davsand]

It's purely anecdotal, but after yesterday's chili cook off I am convinced that Kerry is going to win this election. I am also convinced there are a lot of Kerry voters who are NOT on the radar of the pollsters and even the local Dem parties.

I spent all day yesterday in a street festival booth making chili and talking politics with people. I was participating in a chili cook off with the local Dem party as my sponsor. Our booth was both a kitchen and a display of Dem campaign materials.

One of the reasons I love doing this event (this was my third year doing it) is that once you get the chili started all you do is hang out and talk to people breaking off occasionally to stir the pot.

Unlike Labor Day and the Fourth of July, this street festival is not really dedicated to anything that predisposes it to politically active people. The folks I was talking to were just average folks out for the day. They wanted to hang out, sample some chili and enjoy the weather. These guys are not on any body's list--in most cases, they are the voters you hear from every four years.

This year, I was amazed at the number of people who stopped by the booth and actually had substantive conversations about this election and about how unhappy they are with the state of our nation under the shrub regime. It wasn't one or two guys who were pissed off about a particular event, it was virtually every nine out of ten folks who wandered up.

I had a supply of about 30 Kerry Edwards bumper stickers along with about 25 buttons. They were gone by three in the afternoon, along with the 75 campaign fliers that were xeroxed and laid out on the table...

I had one Kerry Edwards sign on the front of the booth (along with every other candidate sign I could lay hands on) and I had a woman I didn't know offer me $25 for it. I gave it to her and made her promise to send the $25 to Kerry's campaign or else to the local Dems.

I had one guy who came by fairly early on (not a Dem party regular) who came back later with a stack of about 50 anti-Bush bumper stickers to put on the table for give aways. He had gone home to get them just so I could put them out!!!

I have NO idea how much candidate literature I blew thru, but it was amazing to see it go out of there in the hands of people who had stood and browsed the table. This was not a case of some GOP goon swiping it off the table--doing a grab and dash--it was literature going into the hands of people who wanted it!

My chili finished first place--it won $300 for the local Dem party! I think, however, it was far more valuable to SEE that response to the party and to SEE firsthand how moved people are by this election. I have been a politically active person for several years, and I have not seen this kind of energy EVER.

Mark my words, this will be a good year to be a Democratic party member. Kerry will win, and it will be won with the voters nobody is even aware of right now.

Brightest blessings on you all, I am sore footed today but awfully optimistic about this election!


Laura

[truthbetold]

1. Great job Laura!

We're lucky to have someone like you on the Democratic team!

[Maat]

2. Thanks for the story! It's very encouraging.

I'm a bit worried about what they will pull between now and Election Day.

What state are you in?

[davsand]

6. I'm in Central Illinois

I'm one of those "Downstaters." :)

Laura

[karlrschneider]

8. Anywhere near Centralia?, I was born there in 42, probably have some

relatives still around the area but haven't been up there in many years.
Nice story, wish I could figure out a way to help turn this idiot state (OK) blue. :D

[davsand]

10. Centralia is further south.

I'm up in Champaign County. My in laws live about 45 minutes from Centralia, however! My husband used to deliver buns for his family bakery, and he used to deliver to Centralia.

As for helping you with turning OK into a Dem state, well, that I have no ideas on. Keep on plugging, is all I can offer. You may be surprised how many Kerry voters are there come election day, so don't give up!

Laura

[Owlet]

3. Er..you gonna share your chili recipe?

If it changes folks into Kerry suporters I'd like to cook up a batch for my son's in-laws.:9

[davsand]

7. I doubt it would "change" them...

But maybe conversations with them while it cooked might help!

I'll dig up the recipe and post it here for anyone who wants to use it and attempt a chili conversion!

Laura

[Darth_Kitten]

4. That's a great story!!!!

Seems like people are really pumped. I believe people are really more decided than they are undecided, the press just doesn't want to admit that people are angry and want change. :D

Now, for that chili recipe, can you pass it on to me? :evilgrin: Love chili!! :)

[davsand]

9. Ask and you shall receive:

This recipe was developed with the help and advice of the DU lounge lizards a couple of years ago, so I think it most appropriate to share it here:

Stew meat (browned)
Beef Broth
Tomatoes and Juice
Onions
Peppers
Garlic
Cocoa
Lemon Juice
Sugar
Sea Salt
Red Beans
Cumin
Allspice
Oregano
Cinnamon
Red Pepper (Ground Chipolte)
Chili Powder
Cilantro
Water (as or if needed)

Brown meat and add to a pot of beef broth. Saute onions, green peppers and garlic. Add those to the pot.

Add tomatoes and spices except for beans, lemon juice, and Cilantro. (Those go in late to keep them from breaking down over the long cooking period.)

Simmer slowly for a couple of hours or until meat has tenderized.

Re-spice after you add beans and it has come up to temperature.

Add Cilantro and lemon juice last and simmer for a very short time before serving.

Happy eating!

Laura

[chaska]

13. To quote BB King: "Oh, she hurts me so!" eom

[Name removed]

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[NMDemDist2]

5. my sentiments exactly, I see lots of * support here in AZ but also

see folks who were never politically active before registering and planning on voting this year

[Jose Diablo]

11. Hmmm.....chili...is there anything better?

Is your recipe a secret?

Edit: That was quick.

[OzarkDem]

12. Yesterday at Race for the Cure

we saw a similar response. I talked local Dems into coming to the race to hand out Bush-Kerry stickers, etc. They were swamped by dozens if not hundreds of women wanting stickers, signs, etc.