On the ground report from the Battleground: Florida

[floridaguy]

I'm working in a group of democratic precincts where only 3,000 of 6,000 registered Democrats voted. The response is incredible! The people in these neighborhoods that always vote in a Democratic bloc are thrilled that we are there to help them, and that we are working to defeat George Bush.

The Republicans in the heavy Republican areas where I live are freaking out! I've had a couple of old men want to fight me in the gym for wearing my "Anyone but Bush" shirt. That means there terrified, and you can see it on their faces.

When people pull up behind me and read my stickers, (If you aren't completely appalled, you haven't been paying attention)
(11/02/04 . . the end of an error) and (Bush-Cheney . Leave No Billionare Behind) many of them now are just shaking their heads. I even caught a guy pulling up slowly to read them, then he put his head in his hands like someone that knows they're losing a fight.

Summary: We are turning out the Democrats, and they're ready to do their part, the Republicans are freaking out here, and there's a good likelihood I'll be arrested for something and my car will be vandalized by the election. What would Buddha do?

Note to Skinner: Sorry I posted my last post in that "other" General Discussion forum-my bad.

[Florida_Geek]

1. I am sorry I am working in Louisiana

or I would be working the Tampa Dems Office part-time. :(

Go Florida Democrats Go

[jerryster]

2. Florida

I read in another thread that we have 500 lawyers on the ground in Florida for election day. The Repubs are desperate about it again. What are the local stations saying re the poll numbers? Still a dead heat?

[Fluffdaddy]

3. floridaguy, Thanks for the Update, Please don't let the GOP stop Blacks...

From voting this time. Drive everyone in a convoy to the polls if you have to. Thank you for your hard work.

[jerryster]

6. On the mark, Fluffdaddy!

I have posted many times about the bullshit that went on in 2000 re: the phony felon list aimed at African Americans to keep them from voting. I live for the day we find proof that Rove was behind it. The Repubs tried it again this year but the Dems were ready and criminal Sec of State Glenda Hood was forced to scrap the list. 22,000+ names of "convicted felons" in Florida, only 61 of the names Hispanic.

Still, there is no doubt in my mind that the Repubs will try something again. This time it will be things like faulty voting machines which are already marked for distribution to predominantly African American Dem leaning areas. That's why I was heartened to read about the 500 attorneys there. It showed me that Kerry's team is on top of this and learned the lesson of Florida 2000!

[floridaguy]

15. We're working on it daily!

And we will prevail.

[Cha]

17. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

You and all you workers on the ground are simply the Best!

And giving us confidence!

[floridaguy]

8. We're actually havinig them request absentee ballots (Paper trail!)

Then we're offering to pick up the ballots. That way we have a paper trail, and we know how many get turned in. These are 99% black communities, and they have always voted a straight Democratic ticket.

Yesterday, I sat down with two brothers. 83 and 87 years old
They were happy to do their part and were pleased they didn't have to go to the polls. They said it was confusing and that they weren't treated with respect.

[Renew Deal]

11. But the ballots have the party name on the outside.

Absentee ballots in Florida are not the way to go. They will disappear.

[floridaguy]

14. If the Democratic party turns in 3,000 absentee ballots, and they

disappear, it will be a hell of a lot easier to make a fraud argument, then if they vote on a touchscreeen computer.

I know, that's how I voted last time, and when I pushed the "vote" button, I was wondering if my vote would be counted.

And what if the computer crashed? Mine does :silly:

[underpants]

4. 11/02/04 . . the end of an error

That is hilarious.

[Cha]

18. Thought so too!

[flordehinojos]

5. I just want to know! (and I don't mean to knock the wind out of anybody's

sails), but, when the paperless trails machines in our Florida soil miscount our Kerry votes, giving them to Bush, and there are no paper trails to demand accountability and a recount, WHAT ARE 500 LAWYERS ON THE FLORIDA GROUND TO DO?

Why else on earth have JEB BUSH, GLENDA HOOD AND BRENDA SNIPES OPPOSED PAPER TRACE VOTING MACHINES?



:eyes:

[jerryster]

7. Good point

My guess is that they will track exit polls and if the numbers from those differ glaringly from the machine counts they will have to go to court (God help us) and try to demand a recount somehow. I knew that efforts were being made to get a paper trail as well. Have those efforts failed?

[floridaguy]

9. Exactly

Plus, we have to make sure the potential for voter fraud doesn't make people fell their vote won't be counted and decide it's worthless.

When 80% of the people in exit polls say Kerry, if the Repukes try to steal it this time, we'll have chaos in the streets. They're already starting to consider that problem. (See my thread on Florida policeman starting to talk about what if the Republicans blantantly use voter fraud, and the people decide to take action into their own hands)

[jerryster]

13. Question

How do I find the thread you mentioned?

[flordehinojos]

10. On the effrots to get a paper trail, the courts will not begin listening

to any arguments on the case until Oct. 18th. Too late for any paper trails to be put on the machines. :cry:

[roseBudd]

12. In SW Ohio I canvass downtown everyday on my lunchbreak

and I carry the TWO-FACED graphic in my clipboard face up. I carry it in a way that downtown suits (Repubs) can see it. They don't say anything but I see the expression on their faces.

I'm using TWO-FACED for canvassing all the likely democratic voters downtown, the ones not weraring suits at bus stops, temporary labor places, homeless shelters, city parks and street corners. I even canvass the boys who stand on the corner selling crack. They love it when I say Bush is a punk ass bitch as I staple the TWO-FACED graphic to a utlity pole or bus stop shelter. I also put TWO-FACED on utlity poles at really busy intersections in the innercity. The ones repugs pass through to get to their downtown suit jobs, knowing they would be too afraid to jump out of their SUVs to tear them down.

Go to http://somnamblst.tripod.com to download high resolution TIF or PDF file to print and distribute everywhere. Utility poles, bus stops, bulletin boards, newspaper racks, car windshields, phone booths, etc. Guerilla marketers needed to create MAXIMUM BUZZ!

[crispini]

16. Thanks!

This is my fave part:

Summary: We are turning out the Democrats, and they're ready to do their part, the Republicans are freaking out here, and there's a good likelihood I'll be arrested for something and my car will be vandalized by the election.

I know what you mean. There was a pro-Shrub infiltrator at our debate viewing party. As soon as I heard him spewing his cr*p I was out of my seat offering to fight him. He was promptly removed... just as well, I can't fight for sh*t. And am a girl. But by heaven I wanted to get at him. Well you know what they say, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog, and this dog has a LOT of FIGHT.

[Cha]

19. Go Crispini!

The repukes that come into our co-op and see my Kerry/Edwards pin ..know not to start any shit with me..This is a non profit store and wouldn't even be here except for Democratic programs.