RK ARCHIVE - another voter for Webb

A man comes in, looks at the merchandise, looks at the sign in the back window of my car, and with his soft Virginia accent engages me in conversation.
He is a Republican, but he is supporting Webb. He went to U Va with George Allen, didn't like him then, doesn't like his politics. We chatted for a bit, I edxplained my role in the campaign. he told me he thinks Webb will win. By the time he left I had talked him into going to the Webb-site (I like that pun) and contributing. Every bit helps.

Whenever anyone expresses interest, I want to move them one step beyond where they are. If leaning, I want them to commit. If curious, I want them leaning. If committed, I want them to give money, and/or talk to their friends, and/or volunteer.

Every encounter is a chance to pick up another vote, a contribution, a volunteer.

Wear your Webb gear - a shirt when shopping, a button at other times. Have a lawn sign. Not only use bumper stickers, but have a sign in the car window, highly visible, when parked in high traffic areas. Have literature with you (it will help when we get some for the general election). Know how to direct people to the Webb-site.

Comments

hahaha (Ben - 6/17/2006 11:21:32 AM)

Ken, the UVA comment struck me as funny. My aunt's best friend went to UVA with George, and drove with him to a big party at JMU one night. He had to find a ride back in the morning when George just left and forgot to tell him. He was an easy vote for Webb in the primary.

heh (Craig - 6/17/2006 12:11:36 PM)

I went to JMU. Glad to hear that for all their bravado, UVA kids even back then still had to drive to Harrisonburg to have a good party.

And man, everyone who knew Allen personally has the same story: he was a dick even before he had any power.

Down in VA Beach (joe8track - 6/17/2006 11:48:17 AM)

I had a coversation with a Marine NCO that came home from Iraq in April. He opined about his disgust for Rush on the right and moveon on the left. He's still on the fence as to whether he'll support Kellam or Drake. Regarding Webb, he doesn't like Jim's stance on gay rights and abortion. But, because he feels that the immediate concern for the nation is Iraq, he's voting for Jim. Despite supporting Allen in 2000, he feels let down that George never asked the questions of the administration prior to going into Iraq - "What are our plans for post-war Iraq?" and "Will we really only need so few troops?".

Have you all heard this? (Kathy Gerber - 6/17/2006 1:12:45 PM)

Ever since I can remember, I have heard people say the are voting for the best man. Or they are voting for the best candidate. There are lots and lots of people who decide this way.

So true (mkfox - 6/18/2006 2:06:26 AM)

I just heard a great quote in a documentary on the Founding Fathers where Alexander Hamilton says about Aaron Burr: "He is an unprincipled man in both public and private life. He is for or against nothing except what suits his own self-interest. I consider it a religious duty to oppose his career." You'd think he was talking about Mr. Allen.

RE: Hamilton (JPTERP - 6/18/2006 5:49:07 PM)

Another great Hamilton quote: "I may have cheated on my wife, but I never cheated the U.S. treasury".

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/910687.html

Hamilton was telling the truth on both accounts.

It seems like a contradiction, but the reality is that infidelity in one's private life does not necessarily translate into infideliy in public affairs. Aside from this one incident Hamilton actually turned out to be a fairly faithful husband. He was a first-caliber public servant.

As far as Allen/Burr goes--that's a little over-the-top. If Allen ever leads a charge to call for a secession of a territories from the United States--as Burr did in the early 1800s--then the comparison will be a little more apt. My sense is that Allen's designing ambition is more modest than Burr's. Allen has the smarmy charm to woo voters inspite of his poor public record, but he doesn't have the kind of background that would lend itself to fielding an army.

Become a precinct volunteer or block captain (boofdah - 6/19/2006 4:40:34 PM)

One thing the Dems need are precinct organizers and block captains at all levels to help mobilize their Democratic neighbors at the grassroots level and get them to the polls. Consider joining your county's or city's Democratic Party (whether it's the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) or a Democratic Club) and volunteer.

This is how we take back America--one vote at a time.

boof

another voter for Webb - a tale

Comments