I was a Democratic Watcher at a precinct today - ask me any damn thing

I was an 'officially appointed' (by the County Democratic Chairman) 'Democratic Watcher' in a precinct in Indy today. I scratched off Dem voters who showed up from our list, so that the GOTV effort could then phone some of our voters who had not yet shown up. I was allowed to hold the poll book and look it over and compare to our list as well. I helped the elderly Democratic Clerk find names on the book as people came into vote especially when the gop clerk was taking a break, and you know what ? The rest of the time that gop clerk was a really nice guy to all of the voters in that precinct even though we all knew they were mostly Dem voters like by over 75%. The Republicans run the elections here since the County Clerk is Republican. The gop appointed inspector was a good old guy too and was joking all day about how Democratic this precinct was going to go.

Now the good REALLY historic news is that Indianapolis is truly becoming a major Democratic city again for the first time since the 60's folks !!

I could go into it here but you can probably check it out just as well at www.indystar.com or www.wishtv.com

Finally I would say if you are looking for a volunteer post in the next election, Democratic Watcher is a good one. Especially if you are in an area where Republicans administer the election. You can learn a lot about the process, and have a really good day doing so.

At the end you will feel so much better for logging of DU for a while and TAKING ACTION that helps Democrats win elections !!

I sent an email to the state party last year and they hooked me up with some dumbass piece of ReTHUG fodder who campaigned to lose, and I stood out in the rain all day handing out his cards...

This year, we didn't even HAVE an election. No contested races in White County except in Monticello and Wolcott...

Hell, I would have LOVED to had stood outside all day today! sunny, upper 70's....

not a lot, $5 & $10, here and there---then they ask you for more, with surveys and volunteer forms included, so I sent more $, but just a little actually and filled out the surveys and quite explicitly told them I EXPECTED to be contacted to do something--- Sounds like you are in a republican area that could use a few 'Democratic Watchers'... better go for it. Heck they will probably make you a Democratic Clerk or Judge pretty quick. From there who knows Big J, maybe you are the future County Democratic Party Chairman !!

With the skeletons in MY closet? Rove's minnions would jizz themselves...
Thanks for the hints!

Yeah, sure, 90%+ already know who they're going to vote for when they walk up. It's basically kind of a useless exercise to stand outside and ask for a vote. I may have persuaded a handful.

But, and I do forget this sometimes, I have A BLAST talking to the other people who have volunteered their time to stand out there. We had about 6 dems out there, and a couple of Republican firefighters. A Deanie college student was there -- Dean is coming to town in a couple of weeks. When you're standing around for 2 - 4 hours, you can get a lot of talking done. We were all good humored. I handled a Rambo voter when he got hostile toward the Dean volunteer. He was wanting to kill every one in the Middle East, and pulled up his shirt to show us his battle scars from his military service. But, I quietly told him we probably had a fundamental point of disagreement, that I thought wars only caused more wars. He ranted a bit more, we found a few points of agreement, and he went off satisfied that he'd had his say.

One of the firefighters, who said "I'm about as right-wing a Republican as you'll find," was fun to talk to. Nice guy, seriously. Loves being a firefighter, very proud of what they accomplish there -- hey, 97% of the heart attack victims they rescue (they run the ambulance response too) live. I'd be proud too. He voted for both Bushes, doesn't like Clinton. I asked him what would be his most important consideration in the next presidential race. Get this, he started talking about health care and affordability. Mentioned his health care premium has doubled. His mother is paying high prices for her drugs. He likes the CHIPS (children's insurance) program. Although he thinks most working people can handle their health needs, kids, elderly, and those who can't should have health care available to them. (Politicians, anybody out there listening?)

Talked with a woman who had run for congress. Gave her and the Deanie a long rundown on BBV. Both were astounded. All in all, great fun.

Hope a few of the good people got some votes.

Trying to find Dems around here to do this job is like pulling teeth.

I appreciate the fact that you took on this job! Keep up the great work. :)