Stories from the Front Line to get fired up about!

[Garage Queen]

(Why not share yours!)

For the past few weeks I've been volunteering in a local Michigan Democratic campaign office. (Ferndale, to be exact.) Just thought I'd share some stories from this weekend's GOTV efforts.

The Ferndale office had planned to cover the city over two days for their GOTV efforts. Walking door to door, reminding folks to vote, and giving them a slate of Democratic candidates for every race in their district. However, they had so many volunteers show up, that they finished Ferndale in ONE day. The first time EVER this has happened. :7

Then, on Sunday, they sent all our volunteers out to three neighboring cities who needed help finish walking THEIR districts. In addition, we sent probably another dozen or so to help a fourth city with phone-banking. Our office manager was telling me that they've NEVER had a volunteer response like this in the past for ANY election. And this is true for other Democratic offices as well.

Want more? OK!

* Kerry was at a rally in Macomb County a week or two ago, and while the news may have reported on the thousands who attended the rally indoors, what they did NOT mention was the 5-6,000 who were TURNED AWAY.

* The Detroit Free Press, the "conservative" rag in Detroit has REFUSED to endorse a candidate for President for only the SECOND time in their history - a CLEAR win for Kerry.

* I had dinner with a group of friends I've known since college. Unfortunately most of them have since turned Republican. (sob) But, interestingly enough, the Repukes at the table were talking about how stressed they were about this election. Me and the other Dem looked at each other and said, "Really? We're not stressed at all..." Kids, the Repukes are WORRIED - what a great sign!

* One high school boy who volunteered on Sunday told us that he's taking Tuesday off from school to help us out - and he's not even old enough to VOTE yet!

* Two other high school girls (ALSO not old enough to vote!) asked our Office Manager what they could do AFTER Tuesday. <HEE!> He told them: a) check to see if there's a Young Democrats Club at their school and, if not, look into starting one; b) reminded them that A., the young woman who is the coordinator for about 5 or 6 cities in our part of the county, is only NINETEEN years old. "So, think about that." You could see the wheels turning in the girls' heads as they realized that they, TOO, could have opportunities like this.

* Found out at lunch today that our office has even started pre-papering our city 24-hours EARLY! The election-day lit is being delivered TODAY because we have so many freaking volunteers showing up wanting to help!

Folks, the Michigan Democratic base is FIRED UP! I'm lining up to vote at 6:40 am tomorrow morning and then I'll be heading over to the Ferndale office to spend the next 12-14 hours with them, helping in any way I can.

Let's go MEEEEEEEEECHIGAN!!

So, c'mon folks, what are YOUR good news stories from the front?

PS STILL need more? Try reading some ... Moore. Michael Moore.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2004-11-01

:bounce: :headbang: :bounce: :headbang: :bounce: :headbang:

[Arugula Latte]

1. Thanks for this!

I just love these war stories from the front. So inspirational! :thumbsup:

P.S. I went trick or treating with my kids and a few others last night and at houses with Kerry signs the bunch of kids yelled "Kerry! Kerry!" One woman answered the door wearing her Kerry button. They loved it.

[MotownLew]

2. "Well, yuh, isn't everyone?"

I was making calls for MoveOn over the weekend and I reached a house which I have to assume was being rented by a few college guys. It went like this:

Me: Is Andrew available?
Him: Nah. Andy's sleeping one off. Huge party last night.
Me: Think he'll be able to vote Tuesday?
Him: Yuh. We're all voting.
Me: Do you know if he's a Kerry supporter?
Him: Well, yuh. Isn't everyone?

Bank a trifecta for that address. Now, let's hope they sober up by tomorrow!

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

3. Great news!! EVERYBODY should be doing SOMETHING for GOTV!!

Even the most minor actions like free donuts for the poll workers or the local DEM HQ...this board should be SILENT until 8-9pm on Tuesday evening...

We have the votes to win, even the votes for a landslide....BUT WE HAVE TO GET FOLKS TO THE POLLS...

this is all we have to do!!! GOTV!!!! (and document voter harrasment, etc :) )

Come on everyone! Pledge to do something for the next 40 to help GOTV!!!!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. First, Thank you!

:yourock: Second, I love Michael Moore! From his website:

"President Kerry had better bring the troops home right away. My prediction: Kerry's roots are anti-war. He has seen the horrors of war and because of that he will avoid war unless it is absolutely necessary. Ask most vets. But don't ask someone whose only horror was when he arrived to late for a kegger in Alabama." :evilgrin:

[Garage Queen]

8. Kegger? Did somebody say Kegger?

lol

Oh, and you're welcome. Just doin' my part. (And there are many others who have worked much harder than me.)

:7

[fob]

5. As an MSU fan I will say this next line with true hearfelt glee...

MICHIGAN - GO BLUE!!!!!

[Garage Queen]

6. Hee! Yes, "GO BLUE!" indeed!

Stay in line as long as it takes tomorrow, folks! Don't let their stall tactics keep you from voting!

[gratuitous]

7. The TV ads have largely stopped in Oregon

Okay, we have vote by mail, so you're trying to reach a population that has already voted (last number I heard was approaching 50% of ballots had been returned already). But Oregon has, I think, passed from battleground status to "leans Kerry." The Bushistas aren't spending any time here at all. Hee, hee.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Last I heard Multnomah County

(Portland, as you know, gratuitous) had 60 percent of ballots returned. The rest of the state had 50. That bodes very well for President Kerry!