Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 5:06 p.m.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s certainly been a long day here. After an eventful early morning, we arrived at the Obama campaign office in Ayrsley. From there the teams were assigned a “turf” where they would be going door to door.
We started the day off with
Matt Ingoglia, CD communications director, and Lex Ratner. The objective of going door to door was to target democratic or undecided voters in the hope that they would vote for Obama and senate candidate Key Hagan. They also informed residents about early voting options.
One person they came across was Linda Flynn, a retired teacher. She plans on voting for Obama and Hagan, but said she was leaning toward Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCroy. Ms. Flynn’s daughter was a
Republican councilperson in New Jersey. “I think it’s nice to have both sides,” she said.
In the afternoon we joined up with freshmen Lilyb Olson and Isra Elmadhi. They felt well received by the community and even received an invitation to a birthday party.
We also had the opportunity to meet Andre and Donna Demeter, Obama volunteers who helped drive the CDs back and forth to their turfs.
“So much for young people not caring about anything,” said Donna Demeter of the visiting students. And Andre Demeter said that witnessing the
outpouring of support from young people for Obama gave him a lump in his throat.
Tomorrow the CDs hit the streets once more to try to seal the deal for Obama in this battleground state with 15 electoral votes.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 2:48 p.m.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After waking up early at the YMCA on this rainy October Saturday, the group got ready to meet Kay Hagan, the challenger for Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s seat. We arrived at her local office and first heard briefly from Anthony Fox of the City Council. Fox said they are not used to being a battleground state, calling Hagan “salt of the earth,” and adding, “she gets North Carolina.”
Hagan arrived and proceeded to impart some words about her hopes for her and Barack Obama’s historical campaigns. “I’m sorry it’s not one of those Carolina Blue sky days,” she said, “but what you’re doing out there, you’re gonna make it that way.” She also shared that she had the opportunity to play basketball with Barack Obama during a recent visit to a local high school. She closed by saying “we’re gonna win it for the democrats!”
The College Democrats were departing for the trail on their bus when a local coordinator received a phone call. They turned around to find Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota waiting for them.
“I want to add another woman to the Senate,” she told the bus. “I know she’s running against a woman, but I want this woman.”
The College Democrats then took to the trail.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 3:24 a.m.
This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Gabriella Schwarz.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Oct. 24) – This weekend, Hatchet photographer Jonathan Ewing and I are following the GW College Republicans as they campaign for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and the Republican challenger for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, Chris Hackett. We arrived here last night and the volunteers spent the day canvassing.
The local interest in the election is evident by the many signs that line highways and driveways. Most of the homes have been receptive to the pamphlets; however, there have been some interesting reactions. One man came to the door in little clothing. “I’m in my underwear honey,” the older man said. CR Chairman Brand Kroeger was chased by a dog twice after trying to approach a house. And an elderly woman opened her door only to say, “there’s nobody home.” Country music blares in many of the vans, as does “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynard Skynard.
As I write, Kroeger is playing in a pile of leaves. “That’s quite possibly the most excitement I’ve had all day,” Kroeger said.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 3:20 a.m.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 24) – I’m down here with senior staff photographer Nick Gingold and we’re going to be following the GW College Democrats over the next few days as they canvass for Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and the Democratic challenger for the U.S. Senate, Kay Hagan. Hagan, a state senator, is in a close race with Sen. Elizabeth Dole.
After an eight-hour journey south today, we arrived at the local YMCA, where we are lodging on the floor of the gymnasium. The CDs have set up camp, spreading out sleeping bags and pillows to make the space feel like home. The group just received a pep talk from Laila Mohib of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money to back democratic pro-choice political candidates. She said that over the next few days, the volunteers would be knocking on about 10,000 doors in an effort to persuade voters to throw their support behind Obama and Hagan.
I will be blogging periodically over the next few days so continue to check the blog for updates on this trip.
