Breaking & Entering

I'm just now getting a chance to report on last week's meeting at the Dover office of the NHDP. Sorry...I'm in summer mode.

So, this meeting I was invited to was a small gathering, maybe 15 people and a few staffers. Wandering around beforehand, I was chatting up some UNH students when I heard someone call my name. A friend who had worked on the Hillary campaign, and now working for Shaheen. She came across my name when doing data entry (I filled out some card at the Shaheen/Obama event a few weeks ago). She's fellow lesbian mom, so we caught up on kids, campaigns, and starting kindergarten in the fall.

My pal John did the opening act, and there were introductions all around. It quickly became apparent that you must add two pieces to your intro: One was which campaign you worked on in the recent NH primary (a good mix of the top 3, in case you are wondering). The second became a little game of "I've know Jeanne/Bill Shaheen longer than YOU" as we went around the room. How many ordinary people do know in your state who know your governor or Senator? The ones who really knew them, pronounced it Jeannie! The winner was the guy next to me who went through grade school with Billy.

Leo Lessard, Registrar of Deeds, gave a very inspiring talk about retail politics in NH that I loved, complete with quotes from Tip O'Neil.

Next up was Beth Fischer, a staffer. She was a Hillary supporter, so then gave a little homage to HRC which lead to a few supporters who aren't quite on the Obama Bandwagon chiming in. Beth stayed on message (UNITY), but invited HRC supporters to a special meeting to chat about how to best channel that energy into getting Jeanne Shaheen elected to join Clinton in the Senate. (I think that meeting is tonight as I type this.) Anyway, brilliant move. We in NH are lucky to have a very popular female candidate and former governor to focus on, so those so-called disenfranchised female voters can transfer their excitement and energy to her. Since the Shaheens managed both Clinton campaigns in NH, this connection can really excite NH voters: Don't just put Shaheen in the Senate, put her right next to Hillary!

After the meeting, a man seated close by came over to introduce himself: Prof. Watters, now running for NH State Rep in my ward. He lives right down the street from me, and we've crossed paths at UNH events before. We chatted a bit. And on the walk home, while I was reading his handout, he jogged by me on his evening run. How many regular people live in a state where they have met their state rep, let alone run into him frequently? Politics is so accessible in New Hampshire, it's so easy to break it. I guess Prof. Watters will find out just how easy it is to get in & stay in!

July 4th is the New Labor Day

So, I never made it to the Unity event, as you know. But if you want a blog just about as close to what I'd write had I been there, check out my friend Mary's blog in the blogroll, Mom NOS.

I've had other near misses lately. July 4th was a biggie. My family was invited to join my brother and his family at their vacation home in Wolfeboro, NH. Their house is on the same street as Mitt Romney's, but at opposite ends. We didn't feel like rushing the twins to make it to the 10am Wolfeboro parade. That was a big mistake. Not only did Mitt march (why? he's not running or holding any office??), but so did Sununu & Shaheen! What a bummer. I wanted to see that so-called "enthusiasm gap" for myself, though it would feel lonely to see Mitt in NH without seeing JC tracking him. I also missed Carol Shea-Porter's mom, apparently. At least I made it in time for great burgers and some fun at the lake.

Right after the long weekend, seems like the Shaheen campaign has kicked it up a notch. Forget Labor Day as the unofficial start to the general campaign! First was a nice, glossy mailing inviting me to join Team Shaheen (which I'm sure already has my name) that arrived on Monday. Then tonight, no fewer than THREE telephone calls from the Dover NHDP office. Two to my landline & one to my cell. The first was inviting me to a rally or something in Henry Law Park (downtown Dover) on Saturday (can't, family plans). The second call was to see if I got the mailing and asking me to join the team (I thougtht I already had).

The third call was from John Barriere himself, inviting me to an organizing meeting on Thursday night. Finally, something I think I can make! That was funny because I had just left John a Facebook message telling him that I was apparently 2 of the 800 calls he planned to make tonight. No waiting for the convention for these folks to kick in to high gear.

I have to wonder if Sununu is holding house parties, or if Jeb Bradley has his mother & daughter out there marching in parades, or blogging. BTW: a plug here for Molly Shaheen's new blog! Love it.

My one friend who is a McCain fan has stopped sending me links and articles. I think she finally realized she's outnumbered, and out unified. The desire for change has turned to desperation. I'm so sick of the Bushies, their failed war, failed policies, arrogance and ignorance. On the way to swimming-lessons-from-hell yesterday, as we passed the campaign office, Griffin asked "Mommy, who is the leader of the whole earth?" Sadly, no one.


And now, time for something completely new!