Good morning, everyone! Yesterday, for the first time since I began running for office in 1979, I was an active participant in targeted door-to-door canvassing, and I learned a lot. In the past, I've always employed the old "mass" approach (give our materials to everyone) to campaigning, and have resisted the targeted method, but I learned much in a very short period of time this past Saturday afternoon...
Yesterday's targeted canvassing was very labor intensive and tedious but also quite productive and rewarding. Sure, it's difficult to locate many of the addresses and people with whom we need to speak, but when we do, what a great positive reaction we receive!
Here are some examples of my experiences - and then some advice - from Saturday's targeted door-to-door canvassing for Breiner, Holt, Horn, McGraw and Moore in Roanoke County's Mount Vernon precinct:
The older gentleman whose son and a friend, true back yard shade tree mechanics, were replacing the motor in his ancient Chevy Blazer. When I walked up to the tired and weary threesome and asked if they were Democrats, the father said he'd never vote for a Republican again for the rest of his life, gladly took our materials and then began to explain to me why it was important to vote for Hillary for President! I didn't take the time to talk with him about my preferences for President like Wes Clark, but I did take the time to listen to him and connect...
The elderly lady sitting on her small front porch stoop, resting after an afternoon of raking leaves. When she explained that she had two articifical hips and reminded me that she had stood out in the cold at the polls for Sheriff Gerald Holt and me 16 years ago, I sat down beside her to talk. We discussed her children, her cactus plants, the neighbors who had moved away recently and the stray cat that she had just taken in. She'll be at the polls for us on Election Day.
The lady with the huge but friendly standard poodle who was so happy that I stopped by. She's a long-distance jogger and appeared to be in her late 40's or early 50's. When she asked me for a "Hillary for President" bumper strip (thank heavens I had one with me, even though Hillary's not my first choice...), I showed her the VAN list from which I had been working and she noticed that it had her age down as 60. I began to apologize for that mistake when she interrupted me and confirmed that it was correct. The bumper sticker on the back of her car? It reads, "My Poodle is Smarter than my President!".
Talking with those voters - on their doorsteps, in their back yards, on the street - who so strongly support us and our candidates is very gratifying, inspiring and uplifting. If we're properly organized and prepared, it can go much easier than it did for me in the beginning yesterday.
Here's the secret; instead of going off in pairs, do your canvassing in groups of three. Why three? It seems so simple to me now...
In groups of three to a car, one person drives, maintains the list at each stop and keeps the materials going out the windows of the car to the two walkers on either side of the road or street. Whenever there is an extended distance between targeted stops, the walkers can hop into the car, get a brief break and be driven to the next neighborhood, etc. It's so simple, and it really works!
If you can drive, please locate two walkers and put your VAN lists to work for our candidates - and for the next nine days in various locations - as we get out the Democratic vote and win this thing on Election Day; Tuesday, November 6.
Thanks!
Steve McGraw, Clerk/candidate
Roanoke County Circuit Court
IDing Dems (and other supporters) and then keeping in constant contact with them up until election day is something that cannot be compromised. This is your base and all you need is one vote to win.
Glad you had such a great day in Roanoke!
There is a real energy on the ground. This election is not all about the individual candidates as it is about getting ride of the far right. People have had enough of the Oliver North's and the Ralph Smith's of the world. More people stop me to tell me they are voting for Dr. Breiner and the rest than in 2006 with Jim Webb. I predict several wins on November 6th.
But wouldn't if be great to have voters register by party so you would know EXACTLY which voters to talk with on every street, in every precinct, in every county and city across the state?
When the Dems controlled the legislature (and yes, there was a time!) they were terrified of having voters register by party as well as having candidates identified by party on the ballot, fearing it would hurt their chances of getting elected. However, with the demographic shifts that have occurred since 2000, the Dems would be the beneficaries of doing both.
So, perhaps we should insist to those Senate candidates who we are supporting to get elected, that if they do get elected and the Dems win control, that they support legislation so voters can register by party and candidates are identified by party on the ballot. Both measures are long overdue.
Every vote counts, and we're all counting on you...
Thanks again!
Steve