The Jesus License Plate

Florida, now infamous for so much has a new Jesus license plate. I planned on commenting and ranting, but then I looked at it again and well, it kinda speaks for itself. We can now worship while we drive. Wait a minute, aren't license plates given out by the state? Hmmm...I know there is some rule against it, but right now it is slipping my mind...

Pre-election Eve Ranting and Predicting

Yesterday, since early voting ended in Hillsborough County (Tampa Bay) I was unsure what I would do with my time or my day. GOTV? Which is always fun and interesting, but I feel that the youngins on the Obama campaign handle this stuff much better than I. So, much to my surprise my friend (the Vice Chair of the Democratic Party in Tampa) who abandoned me on Friday turned up on Sunday. She called me and we talked about our experiences on Saturday. How the early vote lines were out of control. Five hour waits at College Hill and Temple Terrace in Tampa and that Miami Dade County was supposedly much busier. She said to me, if you want you can go volunteer at the Florida for Change statewide hotline. She heard many people were not getting great advice and she thought it a good idea for me to go down and log some hours. voila, I had my day planned out. I decided this will be my last day as I am flying home to be in New Jersey on election day. After all, I am an elected official, whatever that means...but I am needed.

Anyway, I got downtown early enough, introduced myself to the Legal team. They were all about 25 years old (this must be the reason I was needed down here) and Hastings and Chicago Law school grads. Fresh grads at that. I was given a phone and told go get started. The phone rang within seconds and I was off and running. The statewide hotline in Florida is designed for anyone having trouble with voting or a simple question about voting to call and get their question answered. The typical question was: "Is early voting still going on?" "Where?" "Can you tell me my precinct I will be voting in?" "I requested an absentee ballot, but I did not get it, can I still vote?" Many of the same questions I was asked at the polls. But, here is where it got impressive. "I need a ride to the polls, can you help?" When this question arose you inquire as to the person's information plug in into the website and submit. Within hours this person is contacted and set up with a ride to the polls.

Or someone might say I requested an absentee ballot, but I cannot leave the house (disabled or elderly) can someone come and get it? You plug this information in the website at headquarters and the person's vote will be picked up and submitted by the Obama campaign. We had several calls about this exact scenario, that an Obama campaign rep. called and knew they had an absentee and is willing to come to the house and pick it up. Unbelievably, a colleague next to me received a call from an elderly gentleman that asked that if he was voting for McCain would the Obama campaign pick up the ballot? My colleague encouraged him to vote for Obama anyway. We checked with some higher ups and indeed the Obama campaign would pick up his vote. This was told to me early, the Obama campaign does not discriminate as to voting. They are not out to stop anyone from voting. This seemed outwardly and foolishly selfless to me, but impressive nonetheless.

This all leads to where I am going. Predictions. The Obama campaign's GOTV strategy and volunteer structure is something I have never seen or heard about before. It is sophisticated, energetic and motivated, if not sometimes a bit chaotic. But, all of my time spent in the field this week in Florida, in Hillsborough County I saw one McCain volunteer. This is a county Bush won handily over Kerry (so the vote said). He showed up nailed in a few signs and left. But, Obama volunteers were everywhere and they are ALL willing to go the extra mile.

This will prove to be the difference between a win and a landslide (these predictions are based on the hope that no shenanigans will take place, but this is a highly suspect proposition). There are several states to keep our eyes on early. Florida's polls close at 7 PM and I don't believe it will be called until late, but I believe Florida will go blue for Obama this year based solely on GOTV operations. Obama will win Virginia as well and Pennsylvania. These two states are the states to watch tomorrow night early. If both Virginia and Pennsylvania go for Obama early the election is over. Pennsylvania, however scares me for one reason and one reason only. McCain is making his last stand here. I do not think he has enough to win it, but why is he spending so much time there? Is he planning on stealing it? Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but 2000 had Florida, 2004 had Ohio, and I wonder is Pennsylvania this year's stomping ground?

Still, I do not think it is enough. In my humble opinion Obama will win the following Bush states: Ohio will go blue, New Mexico and Iowa. I think Florida will be close, but he will pull it out. Colorado and Nevada will also go for Obama. This leaves Missouri, North Carolina and Indiana. I do not believe that these states are really leaning Obama though it is the prevailing opinion in many polls. I will believe it when I see it. What gives me pause, however is the night could prove to be a watershed moment in American elections and maybe Obama's GOTV is so good this will occur. I don't know. My prediction is these states stay red, but barely. Missouri probably by a 51-49 margin and Indiana and North Carolina by a four point margin. Still, the victory will be sizable and he will have his "working majority for change" that he talks about and it will be time to get down to work. If Montana and North Dakota go for Obama I will lay in shock and it will mean the landslide is in full swing and we are looking at something truly historic. New Hampshire will also stay blue. Here is my map.

Obama ends with 338 electoral votes and McCain with 200. With only 270 to win this will be a landslide. This map is a huge win and he could easily win without Pennsylvania. Here is hoping for President elect Obama at about 9 PM tomorrow!! I will leave you with a choked up Obama eulogizing his grandmother Toot:

A View from the Swingest of All Swing States: Florida

I am staying about 35 miles south of Tampa in Manatee County. It is solid red country and the issue of race is front and center in this election here. Up in Jersey it does not seem to enter into the lexicon, the Bradley effect, etc. But, here you can easily find yourself in a conversation about race. My mother has had several recently. One neighbor asked her "why does Obama always refer to himself as an African-American? What about his white mother?" First off I didn't know he referred to himself like that, but such is the conversation. Another conversation started out - "I don't know if he will get elected, but I know he will get shot." Who wants a President that will get shot as the smirk was front and center in his face. One is reminded that the "new south" can get old and deep very quickly. Another Minister down in red country had to remind his flock that "if you agree with McCain then vote for him, but if you are not voting for Obama because he is black, that is immoral." I didn't know that was in dispute, but down here one must be reminded of that. Different mindset altogether here.

Yesterday, I didn't know where I was going as I have found the voter protection program here a bit disorganized as to volunteers anyway. So, I got a number of someone who is in the know. I called her and she said meet me at my house early and we will go from there. I got up early and met her at her house in the most beautiful neighborhood in Tampa. It could have been D.C. She was waiting and she happened to be the Vice Chair of the Democratic Party in Hillsborough County and the fastest talking southerner I ever met. She moved fast and furious. We began the day delivering campaign materials to early voting sites around the county and having conversations about why we were progressive, why we supported Barack and not Hillary, why we left the Catholic church and how sometimes family members disappoint us the most. It was enlivening, exciting and awe-inspiring. We kept driving and by 10:00 am we were at the spot I would spend until 7:00 PM when early voting ends.

The lines were tremendous, out the door all day, at least 200 people in line and many more Republicans were out in force. Along with giving advice about voting problems we snuck in some suggestions about voting the democratic ticket especially no on Amendment 2 that protects marriage between a man and a woman in Florida though it is illegal three different ways here. Four times a charm I guess.

The election officials argued with us, but we were clearly behind the 100 foot line and we are allowed to do what we want there. I must have had that conversation with seven different election officials. At Temple Terrace (the busiest of all the sites) yesterday the McCain campaign made a sign that said the folks in blue hats work for the Obama campaign which I didn't think was a secret since Republicans are the ones that steal all the votes. By the time 7 PM rolled around I was exhausted and electioneering(ed) out. I looked around and realized my ride was long gone and I had no way of getting back to my car. I asked two Obama volunteers to give me a ride as they drove to a "Baracktoberfest" party. Thank goodness they were there. Such is the life on the campaign. You meet great people and suddenly they are gone and then others pop right in.

This morning on my way in to the campaign the person that carted me around all day and left me stranded was on the radio talking as fast as she did all day and taking it to the streets. She sounded like she was checking her blackberry as she spoke. Amazing. I called her and got voicemail and asked her where she was and how come you stranded me and what about your cousin who I am supposed to give legal advice to? And you have my sweatshirt in your car!!

I never heard from her again. I did, however hear her talk about a Chris Rock rally for Obama on the east side of Tampa in which the comedian would give a speech and then "march" over with thousands of folks to early vote. Today the lines were tripled and there were enough lawyers around to give everyone advice. Saturdays are a good day to vote. And Chris Rock should be commended. I could not get near his speech, but got near some loudspeakers as he spoke about what Barack means to "us." If you can't vote he said, "find a lawyer." They will show you how. But, at every site I worked this week it has gone relatively smooth and everyone who has wanted to vote has done so. The prediction right now, depending on how well today goes - is between 1/3 and 1/2 of voters in Hillsborough County will have voted before Tuesday. That is unbelievable. Word is Miami_Dade is much heavier. Yikes. Three days until the election.

As for me I am going to sleep. I never did hear from the Vice Chair again, but it sure was good to meet her.

Early Voting in Tampa, Fl.: A View on the Ground

I am working for the Obama campaign in Tampa, Florida. I was sent to the College Hill Public Library to oversee early voting there.The site is to the left pictured here. Early voting is occurring across Florida at select locations. Here in Tampa (Hillsborough County) if you live in the County you can early vote at any location, which is very convenient. I showed up early at 8 am and worked until about 2 PM. When I got to the polls there was a line of 100 people out the door. When I left at about 2 PM there was a line of about 75 people. The line never stopped! People are very excited.

The line of voters was at least 95% African-American. It is in the College Hill section of Tampa, not that I know much about Tampa, but I got the impression it was a predominantly black neighborhood. All throughout the morning there were vans of folks coming in and out shouting "Obama!" It was very heartening and exciting to say the least. Of course I stayed neutral giving advice only on the ballot, though we are working for the Obama campaign, we do not challenge anyone. We only encourage voter participation. The Obama campaign makes this very clear. It is a good thing because I would never challenge someone's right to vote.

At one point in the morning an African-American addressed the entire line in oratory telling them that when they go home they need to 'go knock on the doors of five friends and take them to the polls. This election is close and we cannot let them take Florida again! McCain will not let a black man be President! Those in the panhandle in Pensacola will be out to vote for him and will do anything they can to win this election." The entire crowd started cheering and he was told to repeat the message for the back of the line and he did. And then an older gentleman came to get a woman out of line to go see her mother and the entire crowd started booing. Amazing. The guy was pretty pissed off.

Then I overheard conversations in the line as they came up to me that the only time they got to vote for a black candidate for President was Jesse Jackson. They must have meant in 1984 and 1988. Shirley Chisolm ran in 1972, but no one thought she had any realistic chance. Ditto for Jesse, but he was taken more seriously by the Democrats at least. This time around the pride is obvious. And then I thought as I stood there handing out ballots, giving advice to voters and answering questions, and allowing elderly black women to use my folding chair that these women and men for that matter couldn't vote 45 years ago in the deep south. It was not until 1965 the voting rights movement proved to move the south to action. It is astonishing a black man now stands on the foothills of the Presidency.

When these elderly folks were in their mid 20's it was the Jim Crow south, separate everything and no voting in the elections. Martin Luther King had not even begun the Alabama Bus Boycotts and the birth of the civil rights movement was years away. Simply breathtaking I thought to myself; this election is truly historical. And the feeling among many of my friends is that this election is in the bag, but the talk in this line is that we need to do all we can to secure the vote and make sure they do not steal this election.

Sadly, Glory to the Union informed me of Amendment 2 that is on the ballot in Florida that restricts Marriage between a man and a woman hinges upon the black vote. I discussed the ballot with many black voters and indeed many were voting for the Amendment to restrict marriage and have a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage. One bright note, however was the Florida Democratic Black Caucus is distributing their own ballots to every voter and encouraging voters to vote no on the measure. I think it will be tight just as the election will be.