Well, this is certainly a ride at the regional election central I've set up at my place. It was hard to judge how many people would show up for day-of canvassing, phonebanking, and sign-waving. 30+ or more have been in and out all day for the three shifts we've got for canvassing and phonebanking; seems my house is almost literally littered with people. Folks on the stairs, co-opting the bathroom, standing here and there, using whatever space they could find. The spirit of the day reminds me not a little of the precinct caucuses: with all the anticipation back in early February, neither was it clear how many volunteer captains would show up nor how many caucus-goers finally. The turnout today is as impressive as it was then, to my mind, at least where it concerned the volunteers who were motivated to make a difference.

Earlier in the day I stopped off at the Fremont Bridge to see how our sign-waving visibility crew was doing, and they seemed to be having a great time. My girlfriend supplied some custom blue, Obama-logo'd ponchos and created some signs using some extra Shepherd Ferry Obama posters (you know, the iconic one that's been all over the place).

At the coffee stand nearby, we encountered two guys, whose reactions to our presence told two very different tales. The first guy was a youngish, rough-and-tumble sort, who was affable enough. He half-complained that "we" had been so persistent in contacting him to remind him to vote. Apparently he had been almost harassed into submission with all the phone and house calls. Despite this, he said he'd vote a little later today, even though, he said, he knew it really didn't matter (all these politicians and elections are always the same). I thought his cynicism was interesting, in the sense that despite his disaffection with the political process, he was still motivated to vote. I have little doubt that all the hyperbolic persistence had some effect on him; in any event, it was clear he'd vote for Obama.

The second guy was, well, the kind who fits a certain stereotype. Bob, who helped coordinate the visibility team, had his blue poncho on, the one with the Obama logo on it. This guy pulled up to the coffee shack's window in his 3- or 5-series BMW, and said from his open window, "Make sure that blue doesn't touch my car." It wasn't immediately clear whether he was kidding or what. I noticed his expression then said to him, fingering the red jacket Bob had on underneath the poncho, "I suppose this color would be ok..?" He indicated it would be, and then said something else I don't recall that suggested his level of disgust with the whole thing. Just perfect: 30-40 year old guy in a BMW, born to be obnoxious, and most certainly a McCain supporter. Whatever.

- dave //