Event in Dover, 7/28/2007

Hi, I'm back.

Last week was a whirlwind of activity for the staff, interns, and volunteers on the Edwards campaign in Strafford county. I got to see things close up, and really enjoyed what I saw.

First was the phone banking. I wasn't ready to do it yet, so I sprawled out on the floor of the Dover office and made posters by hand, listening all the while to everyone else making the calls. They made it look so easy and so fun, so maybe next time I'll actually join in. I made some posters that were up at the event and now are up in the office. My partner and kids visited us briefly, and brought birthday cupcakes, which I shared with the staff. The kids drew on the office windows with special markers, which they loved doing.

On Saturday, we took some of those posters and attached them to our trusty old wagon, and walked through downtown Dover toward Henry Law Park. As I posted on Blue Hampshire: I had to stay in the back, chasing my kids around in the background by the flowers. Let me add that Edwards' events are the most kid friendly of any campaign event I have ever been too (and I do go to a lot of them!). Thank goodness, or I wouldn't get to see anyone! It really helps to be stroller (or in my case, wagon) friendly. Instead of getting dirty looks from staffers (like I have at other's events), I got smiles & waves, "can I take their picture?" and interaction with the kids. Yeah, those were my twins running around on stage while Edwards was shaking hands. Look for them, along with Binx, the Dover Goat, on the JRE website and blog.

My take on the content of the event is that Edwards has a new fire, new passion since the poverty tour. And I like it. It's inspirational and it works for me. Americans should be more outraged. As a voter, I like the whole "fire in the belly" deal. As long as I'm not yelled at, I'm usually motivated!

Stay cool everyone...

Debates (past & future) and Birthday Wishes Come True

Once again, life has been distracting me from the campaign trail. Kitchen renovation first, then Harry Potter. But after staying up until 4am the other night, I am done. I'm back in the world of Muggles, and our silly election! (BTW: It was worth loosing a night of sleep. LOVED it!!)

So, first, the debate. I wasn't convinced it was a good idea to partner with YouTube, but in the end I guess I enjoyed it. I didn't learn anything new but it was sure interesting to see how the candidates handled certain things. The biggest criticism of the debate in our crowd was that we couldn't see the ads on the large screen TV; why didn't they show them full screen?

I was with a bunch of friends from UNH, most of whom are Edwards supporters or leaning that way. We were joined by the Presidentof the UNH College Democrats, Laura Jones. What made the debate really fun was her interjections of who she's met, what the candidates are like in person or on the phone, and what their staffs were like, and how she gets to introduce them at events. Her hug from Obama, her photo with Edwards, etc, Richardson's staff calling her to do an event on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). Seems like they didn't see a conflict (maybe you have to work on a college campus to appreciate that). Or someone else who chose a Saturday of a big football game. The rest of us pitched in when we could (my feverish Kucinich encounter always gets a good laugh posted earlier this winter). A few plans are in the works for fall which I am not at liberty to share but I'm hoping to score Cate Edwards. AND, the wheels are turning as to how to cause some ruckus at the Republican Debates, now scheduled for UNH in September! (Thanks, Kim for getting that. Let me know where you need me!)

Other quick thoughts? Best tie: Dodd (love polka dots). Best ad: Edwards of course. I can't get the HAIR song out of my head!! Best spouse is always Elizabeth Edwards (the only other wife I saw was the lovely & tall Mrs. Kucinich). Worst question: teaching kids about sex using medically necessary terms. TOO much information!!

But moving right along...this weekend is starting to look NUTS. Edwards is all over the state (both of them), and he's coming to my city on Saturday at 5pm. Downtown Dover!! Since Friday is my birthday, I am thinking of this as my own personal birthday gift. Thanks, Mike Alfoni & staff, for the gift. Happy Birthday to you, too.

Richardson in Dover

Last night I ran into an acquaintance at the grocery store, and talk turned (as it always does) to candidates. We both were planning on seeing Richardson the next afternoon. She said, with all the confidence in the world, "I heard that Richardson is going to be running with Hillary." No attempt was made to say "if she's the nominee" or "maybe he'll be her running mate." No...it was "he's running with her." Ooo, there's nothing that I hate more in a campaign than the assumption that you've got it all wrapped up!

So, that brings me to today, Monday, when Bill Richardson rolled into Dover NH for a house party. I was walking alone up the driveway when his SUV pulled in, right next to me. It was at the lovely home of former mayor Will Boc, in his sun-dappled back yard. And since I walked into the yard just before him, I ended up being in the front row of specators. Richardson got right up on the patio with Mayor Boc, and Boc did a short intro before turning things over to the candidate.

He did the typical shortish speech then questions. He paid more attention (homage) to the local and state dignitaries in the crowd than any candidate I've ever seen. He also cracked more jokes, too, and they were actually funny. (One was a well-deserved jab at the size of our state legislature.) In person, he looks thinner than on TV, and he has handsome dimples when he smiles. But he looked a bit crumpled (photo to come). No cowboy boots this time; penny loafers instead! He apoligized for being late, and he was only 15 minutes past the posted start time--which is impressive--then blamed the bridge traffic we've all learned to avoid when coming to Dover from Portsmouth at 5pm.

He spent some time saying how he's not the pet of the pundits, the big fundraiser, or the glamorous "blow-dried" candidate but never mentioned opponents by name (which I liked). His answers were fine; not as detailed as I prefer, but fine. Seemed to take most questions from men or press or local big wigs, but of course there was the one obligatory question from a kid, which he saved for last. Another first was that he had note cards at first (see photo) apparently to remember names of local dignitaries, and at one point toward the end, asked an aid to tell him which of his five points he forgot. Which brings me to the staff: I spotted all men, young & geeky, and all wearing ties. They didn't mingle or collect names & emails. The sign up sheet our front was voluntary (unlike HRC & BO, who required it for admission).

I hung out a bit and after some photo requests got my handshake. Short & quick, no chatter, little eye contact. Unmemorable. He engaged more with the folks who were wearing nametags, especially those with their credentials listed on them.

He did well overall except for the obvious kissing up stuff, and I think he moved up in my own pecking order. But honestly, I think he'd make a great Secretary of State! But not a VP...he's too much of a diplomat to waste those skills on being VP no matter who that nominee may be.

Local Activity Picks Up Again

For a few weeks there it was seeming like no one wanted to venture outside the greater Manchester area. But, things on the Seacoast are picking up again. Hillary had an event planned in Rochester (next town over) for Saturday (her events are always on weekends!) but had to cancel due to Lady Bird Johnson's funeral. But Richardson quickly filled the void in my calendar by planning a few seacoast events for Monday July 16th, including a house party in Dover. So, I will finally see him very soon. And if I find my camera, maybe get a picture.

Bumper stickers and lawn signs are popping up more often here. Huckabee signs have sprouted up in Dover, which prompted Stacey to ask me "who's he?" She's my gauge on how much the average, non-junkie knows. But I still maintain that I see more old Kerry/Edwards stickers than any 2008 ones. I think keeping the sticker on is a form of protest, or proof that the current political climate is not this driver's fault. Every so often I do see an old Dean sticker (god bless the Deaniacs), but I've never seen an old McCain sticker. Yesterday's find topped them all: a "Buchanan '96" sticker on the back of a stop sign, in Madbury NH!

That reminded me of a conversation I had recently with my pal Chris in the UNH Political Science dept. He confessed to being one of those voters I have long known are out there but never found proof of. Registered "undeclared," he likes to select the ballot of the party he doesn't like, and picks the most unelectable, extremist candidate he can. I've flirted with this idea, especially during a reelection (Clinton's 2nd term) but could not bring myself to actually do it. It's tempting to do this time since there are so many good candidates on the Dem side, and I know I will support the Dem nominee no matter who it is, but I won't switch teams. I'm still voting for John Edwards.

And speaking of, Edwards has opened up an office in Dover on Chestnut Street. Great location; right on the bus route & near the Amtrak station downtown, and part of an elderly apartment complex. A stone's throw from Bill Shaheen's office, too. I must drive by 6 times a day! We are seeking donations of office supplies, if anyone is interested. And the campaign has announced a series of issues forum events, one of which will be held in the new Dover office. No candidate, just policy advisors. But it will be fun to see how these things work, too. Stay tuned!

One last pitch, well two: Check out this article, which features a lovely quote from the GraniteProf. And more good news for JRE at http://www.moveon.org/.

Bien Venue au New Hampshire

Things are kinda slow on the Seacoast. Candidates are all busy counting their humungous 2Q contributions, and hiring new staff. All kinds of announcements about new hires are hitting the press, but there are very few visits going on. The exception seems to be Richardson, who walked in a bunch of parades on July 4th! Ah and the Edwards Family is vacationing in Moultonborough too. There are others around here & there, as reported on NH Prez Watch.

I'm more fascinated with these hirings. Who are these people (and what do they really think on New Hampshire? Every time I meet a staffer, I feel badly but I pepper him or her with questions. Where are you from, how did you get this job, and the biggy: what was your major? As a career counselor/academic advisor, the whole thing fascinates me. What skills do you need to do this for a career, and is it anything you learn in a class or major? How the heck can you have a normal life doing this? The networking skills are way beyond my introvert capabilities--how can one person remember so many names, faces, affilliations, not to mention constantly relocating. Then there's the worst part: Be nice all the time or else unwillingly represent your candidate in a bad light!? Not for me. Folks in NH do often need a reason to cross someone off their long lists of potential candidates, and one grouchy phone call or illegal parking job is just as good a reason as any.

Welcome to the Granite State, or as the signs say, Bien Venue au New Hampshire. See you around!