My report from Ohio.

[Renew Deal]

I signed up as a Kerry traveler and went out to Ohio this weekend. I was driving through PA listening to the debate. All of the radio between the PA border and Cleveland is right wing. I couldn't find any real left wing shows on the dial. Not one! AAR is desperately needed there.

I worked out of the * office. It was a good experience. I am Wellstone action trained and I have worked on other campaigns so I have some experience. They had me canvass on Saturday and Sunday. Most people weren't home. I got a very good response for Kerry in that area. I believe it's a good democrat's congressional district. It has been hard hit. I heard some hard stories.

One lady said that she was upper middle class with Clinton and lower middle class with Bush.

Another lady said that her and her husband voted for Bush last time. They have a son that is autistic. A survey was sent to both Bush and Kerry from an autistic organization. Kerry filled it out. Bush didn't. She said that "sealed it" for her.

A union man and his brother in law were both on the list. Both going to take a chance on Kerry.

A woman watched the debates and leaned towards Kerry. She will vote for him now because I asked her to.

Another woman is a teacher who was leaning towards Kerry because of NCLB.

Another woman was undecided and didn't want to vote for Bush. She wants Kerry to convince her. I told her why I support Kerry. I told her that I thought Kerry was going to make a fine president. I asked her to "take a chance" on Kerry. I felt good about that one.

Another man wouldn't talk much. He said that he was undecided. The Kerry campaign will have to work on him.

The point is that there are votes out there to be had, but someone has to go out and ask for them. They need bodies. So get off your collective asses and go do it. I know that many here work hard. Please push it harder if you can. We can and will do this. Kerry is a fine man and will be a extraordinary president, but we have to get him there.

BTW, there were a few Bush people. They were generally unevolved (to say the least).

Ask me anything.

[Dudley_DUright]

1. Thanks for the report and all your hard work B7

You have inspired me to give more to the Kerry campaign (and the Castor campaign here in FL) to help fund GOTV efforts.

[olddem43]

2. Thanks for the help in Ohio - we had a lot of help in Cincinnati from

Kentucky Dems.

[Renew Deal]

3. Cool

I know the Kentucky people would love to turn that state blue. Maybe someday.

[K8-EEE]

4. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

for all your hard work!

[Lorien]

5. Great work!

You're a true American patriot! :toast:

[Renew Deal]

11. That's sweet.

Thanks to everyone. We are in it together.

[BillZBubb]

6. Bravo, Bleachers!

Great report. I think those Bush* people were devolved.

Take a chance on Kerry, he couldn't do any worse than Bush*!

[roseBudd]

7. I canvass everyday in SW Ohio doing my own thing

There is a lot of activity already so I decided to go after a particular niche. I am street canvassing in the innercity. Big likely democratic voter base but they are unlikely voters because of their circumstances. Very low income and mostly newly registereds or never voted befores. Lots of sidewalk traffic and graffiti and bills posted on boarded up buildings. I am using the TWO-FACED graphic to initiate conversation while I am stapling it to utility poles. I talk shit while talking about * and stress Nov. 2. I also motivate and reassure with statements like "we got lawyers, guns, and money" and "don't listen to the polls they're not calling cell phones"

I call Bush a punk ass bitch and they love it. I want every vote I can get for Kerry including the dope boys plying the corner. They don't care about issues like taxes, healthcare, Iraq or fear of terrorism but that doesn't matter if they hate that two-faced, punk ass bitch.

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!

[Renew Deal]

10. I know that you have been working hard.

Will you be driving these people to the polls on election day?

[roseBudd]

15. The polls are all in walking distance but what we do need really bad

for this demographic is voter education. They will be using punch card ballots and I don't want them to feel intimidated. I am hoping ACORN and some of the social service agencies in Over-the Rhine have that covered.

I work for a media company and none of us can take off on Nov. 2 as we will be too busy updating election returns.

[dogpatch]

8. Great report!

I'm heading off to Arizona from California next week as a Kerry traveler. Any tips for a first-time canvasser? I think the last time I did something this was as a kid with my little unicef box.

[Renew Deal]

Be confident

Don't worry about rejection. You will get that but you have to move in. You are trying to win support. People that don't support you mean nothing. Just move on.

Also get a good feel for his Iraq-National security, Healthcare, jobs, education details. Jobs and Healthcare should be 1 and 2, but they are easier to understand than Iraq. Most people have trouble understanding Iraq.

Practice the script in the office a coupel times. You don't have to know it 100% but you have to be comfortable with it.

[jab105]

9. Verey similar to my canvassing experience in FL...I live in a very

republican district...but it was overwhelming undecided and Kerry supporters...only 3 Bush supporters...and most of the undecided seemed willing to listen...

I was surprised, I was expecting a lot more Bush support...

[Road Scholar]

12. Good Work Bleachers!

Very encouraging. Thanks!
:toast: :toast: :toast::toast: :toast: :toast::toast: :toast: :toast:
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce::bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Nadeaufan17]

13. Air America

1230 AM out of Columbus airs Air America. You should be able to get it out there, although not extreamly clearly.

[Renew Deal]

14. I couldn't get it friday night in eastern Ohio.

[txindy]

16. I got an undecided to go for Senator Kerry

Same thing you said. She wouldn't vote for Junior, but Kerry hadn't "convinced her," yet. I finally asked her, "If it took you four years to decide that you do not like or trust *, how can you make up your mind about Senator Kerry in only these few months? Please don't help * get re-elected when you know he is bad for this country. Not voting for * while not voting for Kerry does little. Take a chance and help us take back this country." That did it for her. And I know that for a fact because she's my mother. :) And, credit where credit is due, Kitty Kelley's 'The Family' helped a LOT. My mother went from disliking * to being completely and utterly appalled by the entire * family. :toast: It's about time!!!! Sheesh.