Just Got Through Canvassing In A Heavy Republican Area...

[wyldwolf]

...Sandy Springs, GA. Interestingly, I didn't encounter one hostile Republican - a complete turnaround from my organization's experiences in 2004.

In fact, many Republicans were very interested in what we had to say.

Kudos to the DNC for the doorknob hangers. Superb job.

Anyone else checking in from the national day of canvassing?

[brentspeak]

1. Good job, Wolf

:dem:

[AtomicKitten]

2. Georgia?

WOW - you have officially blown my mind today.

I'm preaching to the choir here in SF but I always work a swing state before an election. I'm beginning to think sewing the seeds NOW is an excellent idea.

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work you are doing.

[AlinPA]

3. Encouraging! Georgia no less. Wouldn't it be something if we made gains

in Georgia in '06? Any chance for '08? Thank you- you are on the ground making it happen.

[xultar]

4. bumper sticker in suwanee today...Enough is Enough vote Democratic

:kick:

[XanaDUer]

5. Good for you.

I , too, had a very negative experience in a heavily red/military town in 2004.

[madfloridian]

6. Just got back....90+ degrees here.

We did a couple of hours this morning, and just about 2 hours now. Gave up because of the heat.

It was hard for us to do the door to door, as our area is very weird about people knocking on doors for any reason. Mostly Republican area.

Not too bad really. No cross words, where just a couple of years ago we would never have dared. Overall pretty good. This is just a strange area, very fundamental. We could feel some overtones, but it could have been a whole lot worse. So some change is going on.

One good thing. Most were disappointed with the way the country is going and they did not hesitate to say so. They just are not sure who they want to fix it yet, or if anyone can.

[welshTerrier2]

7. will Dems pick-up seats in GA?

is there a Senate race this year?

you said you didn't encounter hostility ... did you encounter support for Dems? if so, what issue(s) seemed to be the focus of the voters you spoke with?

[wyldwolf]

9. No

..and no, there are no Senate races.

Of importance to GA in 2006 is the Governor's race and Lt. Governor's race (Ralph Reed is running), and of course, we want to plant the seeds for '08 and '10, when there are Senate races.

Yes, no hostility, but they did voice concern over issues we were discussing (security, corruption, energy, etc.)

[saracat]

8. Me. No hostile Repugs but quite a few hostile Independents.

Heavily Repug area outside of Phoenix. But Repugs are very receptive to change! However DNC did nothing for us except doorknockers. I am ticked. As chair I researched and printed my own lists and had to provide clipboards and pens as well as water! If this was a DNC event, at least in my state, the DNC did not do anything. We didn't even have a coordinator show up at our meeting before the canvass, though it was promised! With all we contribute, finacially and in effort, to not even provide water is an outrage. I am disgusted!

[Robb]

10. Sticker I've been seeing in rural CO

"Vote the bums out."

...Of course, I'm not entirely certain that isn't just our usual stand on things. ;)

[IndyOp]

11. Georgia - OWNED by Diebold...

We must all work on TWO fronts simultaneously --

1. Get people to vote Democratic.
2. Get people's votes counted.

Parallel elections provide hope for 2006 -- even if the voting machines are still owned by the Republicans. Parallel elections? Get a team of people to stand outside every precinct and ask Dem voters to sign their names & phone numbers & indicate for whom they voted -- if the reported number of Dem voters is less than the number who signed we have evidence. Will all Dem voters sign and reveal who they voted for? Many, many who are scared & angry about stolen elections WILL.

In Ohio in the Paul Hackett / Jean Schmidt race the Dems were able to staff only one precinct for parallel elections -- and in that precinct Paul Hackett won by the greatest amount of Schmidt than in any other precinct.

We CAN staff parallel elections and election protection (to make sure all registered voters get to vote) -- if we START NOW.

The DNC is asleep at the switch on this, though other groups - including People for the American Way are getting it bigtime:

A plea for help from PFAW. Worried - TERRIFIED is a better word

[AtomicKitten]

12. yes, the stats in 2002 were really amusing

three local races won by Republicans by PRECISELY 18,881 votes.

Magic? Yep, Diebold magic.

[napi21]

13. I thought about trying to organize something like that, but don't you get

a lot of people screaming about "secret ballot"? That's why I tossed the idea out of my head.

[IndyOp]

14. A lot of people may decide not to sign, but a lot of

people are *very* worried that their vote is not counting and will sign.

This video shows how to hold a parallel election with ballots and boxes - it may make people more likely to participate.

How to hold a Parallel Election
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-908272446689751591&pl=true

Another link to same (?) video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1462613271794363662

[Vidar]

15. Commending your courage & industry.