Videos & Ohio

I have put a few other rally videos up on Google. There aren't any that I am particularly proud of other than the fact that I was there and experienced it all, which is great for me, probably not so much for most viewers. I suppose you just click on the more from user link to view the others, as I am not going to post all the links here. I really only uploaded them at all because a few people wanted to see them. If you do check them out, don't expect much, really.

It's a pretty weird feeling when a campaign tells you, "Thanks, but we're all set with our volunteers on the ground, unless you can come to Cleveland." Well, I can't. The whole plan was contingent on being able to drive back and stay at my mom's house about an hour from Cincy. We're really fucking broke right now, and tomorrow is going to put us even further in the hole in the short term. We plan on leaving for Columbus in the morning, hoping that's where Obama will be (our girl really wants to see Obama). If not, maybe we'll turn up at a Clinton rally if I think I can stomach listening to her droning, condescending voice for longer than 30 seconds at a time, and that our daughter won't hiss at her like she does when she sees her on the television. Better yet, maybe we'll go out and talk to some voters, this time it'll be a lot easier with another cameraman on the scene. So, today I am making calls to Ohio, we'll see how that goes, I'm not much of a salesman, obviously, but maybe it'll be easy since I do believe in what I'm selling. Plus, I love Ohioans, I just wish they'd get the fuck out of the fast lane on two-lane freeways. Midwest interstate travelers must know what I'm talking about.

The next 24 hours are going to be ugly, I hope Senator Obama, his family, and his supporters can withstand the insane amount of rank shit to be thrown at them by folks who've believed they've had this thing wrapped up since Hillary announced her candidacy. That's some fucking audacity, and fear and manipulation just can't win over hope and authenticity, not again. C'mon Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont, please don't succumb to the same old shit. The rest of the country, even some who don't realize it yet, are counting on you.

1:45 PM UPDATE: I am not very good at this calling thing, I feel bad that I hope for the answering machine to pickup so I can leave my prepared script. Mostly because everyone who has picked up the phone have all been undecides that have conveyed they're thoughtful and trying to make a careful decision, and I feel like I'm just bugging them. Not much else to say but, "Do you know where your polling station is? OK, please vote tomorrow, thank you for your time, and have a great day!" One couple I called must work the late shift because it sounded like I woke them up around noon, but the woman was very nice and before hanging up the phone she made sure to tell me that she was ready for real change, and that she's considering voting for Senator Obama. Every single person I have talked to has been nothing but polite and considerate. Well, except for the person I called who hung their answering machine up on me after I said, "I'm a volunteer for Senator Obama...", but that's to be expected. In all honesty, I'd probably do the same thing to a Clinton supporter that called here. Anyway, it's a nerve wracking task for someone with my social skills, but it's been interesting nonetheless. His campaign/phone bank site is so overloaded with supporters (or Clinton hackers, who knows) right now it's been up and down for the last hour, and now it's completely down, so that's encouraging and fucked up at the same time.

UPDATE: We did not go to Columbus because once I confirmed that Obama was to be in Texas (which made more sense) on the night of the election, I had considered going to the Clinton rally, but as this and this and this and this came out I was too angry to go there with my kid. I was hoping to get to MS today, but we just can't afford it right now. Still have plans for Pennsylvania, Guam, Indiana or North Carolina, and West Virginia. Just kidding about Guam. Hopefully, none of it will be necessary beyond Pennsylvania and we can all start concentrating on the general.

----------------
Now playing: TV On The Radio - Staring at the sun
via FoxyTunes