50 State Canvass: Stories Rolling In

Got a few stories from today. Send yours along with pictures to april29@dnc.org

FL-5: Florida Congressional Candidate Rick Penberthy
We organized one of the door to door canvass efforts today. We had loads of fun and hit over 600 homes in two precincts here in Pasco Coutny, FL. I've attached a picture or two of our efforts. A candidate putting his party in the spotlight and using his volunteer base to strengthen the Democratic Party. Rick is a Fighting Dem and a high school teacher. For more information, visit www.RickForCongress.com.

Vermont
The VT Young Dems had a canvass day. The main purpose was to piggy back on the DNC canvass and get some names to recruit for the VT YD. We took census data, figured out the youngest areas in town, and canvassed them. I don't know the final tally, but it looks like we raked it in, in terms of new volunteer names. We'll be hitting the streets with a fresh cadre of new volunteers soon!

We used the DFA Night School to help us with our canvassing. It prepared us well for the canvass this afternoon.

Phoenix, Arizona
Canvassing in Phoenix in LD-10 wasn't bad today -- it wasn't too hot this morning and the event was reasonably well-organized (they're not always). We were canvassing Dems who voted in 2004 but not 2002, trying to encourage them to vote in the midterms. We also collected signatures on nominating petitions for some of the Dem candidates who still needed some. (Under AZ Clean Elections law, a candidate must obtain a certain number of signatures on a nominating petition before they can get on the ballot -- everybody from the governor on down to precinct captain.) I met some nice people and got quite a few signatures for three candidates (for state treasurer, corporation comminssioner and state representative). I'm also going to start attending the monthly Dem meeting in my legislative district to see what else I can do to help. A good day all around.

Rochester, NY
I knoced on doors for Monroe County Dems in suburban Rochester, NY for a couple hours. We gave each household a Dem doorhanger, Eric Massa flyer, and a volunteer flyer. The response was overwhelming positive (except for one Repubican who abruptly slammed the door). They were happy to see they were not forgotten and had alot to say. People were unhappy with mostly Iraq and cost of gas.

I talked to a former GOP who just chaned to non-affiliation. He left the GOP because they are no longer 'moderate' and will stop voting GOP for the immediate future. His major concern is energy independence - "I hate knowing when I refuel my tank, the money goes to the middle east and the terrorists...we must become self-reliant". I slowly nudged my head up/down and agreed. We talked how ANWR drilling is foolhardy and how Pataki sucks (he will vote for Spitzer for NY-Gov).

Overall, I great reaffirming day. We can make a difference if all of us put a little shoeleather on pavement!

San Diego, California
I hosted one at my home, and there were 9 of us who turned out. There was one local precinct leader, who did a short training for us. Other than that, we were pretty green! Everyone had a great time, though. Lots of positive experiences and interactions with fellow dems in our community.

Woo-hoo! Go Dems!

Colorado
The Young Dems organized our canvass and us old folks from the Statehouse District helped out. We had about 19 people talking to Dems, Independants and R women betweeen 25-55. Many of the YD's had their first canvass experience. It was a nice day and a nice result. We got a couple activist recruits, and pretty good responses. Of course, on a nice day less than half the people were home.

Very well organized by the Young Dems!
We also were using the State Party VAN database so will be able to load our results in for the Statehouse District campaign. We have a good Dem rep in the middle of CO CD7, both heavily targeted cuz the districts are 50/50. This is a great start for the campaign.

Comments (6) «

Thank You Tim! For this, and for all you do and have done! I wish you well in your new endeavor and you will be missed here! Please keep in touch!!!

1

jen on April 29, 2006 at 09:12 PM

BTW, had a great time in Cincy canvassing.

2

jen on April 29, 2006 at 09:12 PM

In Newmarket, New Hampshire we had a great canvass for our small town. We started out with coffee and donuts and I gave a briefing on what we as Democrats expected for the future and how we needed to let our neighbors know that we most definitely have a message. As we went door-to-door, we discussed the issues, talked about the candidates running in our district for Congress and for the State House.

Many were very interested. The really enthusiastic ones we talked to about buying Democracy Bonds. We explained how we can truly take our country back and our party back from special interests by purchasing Democracy Bonds. I had run off several applications on my printer and we passed those out along with the door hangers to those interested. I also taped my State Representative business card to the door hangers so those interested in the bonds or finding out more about the vision of the Democratic Party can call me.

We split into 4 teams and canvassed for about 4 hours. It was a very successful day. Canvassing is fun. Even when we ran into the Republicans who were not interested at all, they at least were polite. We also met several independents who we hope we persuaded to start thinking about voting with the Democrats because of our message.

3

Marcia on April 29, 2006 at 09:15 PM

I'm really kind of pooped but I'd just like to say that we passed out almost 2,000 pieces of lit in Downtown Chicago today. We had over a dozen people and most were at it for three hours or more. If they're feeling anything like I'm feeling at the moment they probably won't be reading this for a day or two but they all deserve a ton of thanks for their participation -- and perseverance.

Link to Photo:
http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/1646

LEO
webmaster
IllinoisDemNet

4

leo on April 29, 2006 at 09:37 PM

We held a doorknocking party in Davie, Florida, meeting at 10:00 am at the Eastside Community Hall. Our groups is GRASSROOTS PATRIOTS and our motto is, "Feet-on-the-street Democrats".

There were 17 of us who showed up, and we spent the first 1.5 hours stuffing 1000 doorhanger bags. We distributed them to 461 doors, representing 986 Democratic voters. We had excellent walklists that we prepared ourselves from the state voter lists. We decided to do all Democrats.

Candidates Jim Davis and Rod Smith who are both running for Governor allowed us to use their literature. Our purpose was to drive up the interest of Democrats, and whoever they choose in the primary, we will support the Democrat. We also did a precinct in US Congressional District 22, where Ron Klein is running, and we distributed his literature as well.

Problems were that there was a lot of turnover in some of the apartments. People who are considered "underperforming" Democrats are not voting because they no longer live in the same place, if they even still live in Broward County. Most people were not at home, but those who were expressed pleasure to see Democrats at their doorways.

Phil

5

philbusey on May 1, 2006 at 12:16 AM

Georgetown, MA, town of around 7,000 folks had a
canvassing event with 8 Democrats hitting the pavement and knocking on lots of doors. It was remarked that folks had a good time - and lots of folks who answered their doors, said they would like to kick Bush out of office. Big surprise there!

6

PookstersGrandma on May 1, 2006 at 02:24 PM

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