Knocking on doors in Ohio for Barack Obama

My husband and I canvassed in NW Ohio today.
We had beautiful blue skies, and the temp hovered around freezing. We knocked on about 100 doors in an area that claims to be mostly Republican.

We were given lists of voters, maps, and canvassing supplies. I felt really good about the fact that we were targeting registered voters who would be receptive to talking briefly about Barack Obama.

If you have never canvassed before or are shy around people, I find talking person to person easier because you can learn what people care about before you even get to the door. Statues of Saint Francis, bird feeders, dogs, cats, historical neighborhoods all offer clues.

Nearly everyone we spoke with was UNDECIDED. We asked if they had any questions we might try to answer and if there is any one issue that was of concern. Everyone had a different answer!
- health care
- gas prices
- globalization
- job creation
- teachers / will pay be reduced for student performance?

There were lots of dogs and cats to meet, as well, which gave us the opportunity to speak to people about what Senator Obama has said about how we treat animals reflects how we treat each other.

We really think we had an impact today when talking with undecided voters. All the excessive time that I have spent on line reading up on the issues and the candidates feels like it has paid off because I can address the concerns of the electorate.

One door we knocked on belonged to my kindergarten teacher (1974). She smiled and said, “I’m voting for Barack!” Of course, we encouraged her to vote early because the polls are expected to be extremely busy here in Ohio.

I hope Ohioans prove to be made of as hardy stuff as some of our neighbors in the snowy, cold states. Tuesday morning March 4th is forecast to be cold and slippery. Be careful out there canvassing and voting! I went splat on the ice twice today.

Peace, hope, and denounce the bad stuff…