Near the end of my last Tuesday canvass, I frightened a woman

[struggle4progress]

She was blowing leaves along the driveway fence, and I shouted Hello! five or six times as I approached but got no response

So I stopped at what I hoped would be a comfortable distance, maybe fifteen feet away, and tried to position myself where she might catch a glimpse of me from the corner of her eye, yelled Hello! fruitlessly a few more times, and waited

It was easy waiting: she was a tall, black, and beautiful, with a gentle idyllic demeanor --until after a moment she suddenly realized I was there and involuntarily started with a loud Ahhhh!

I took a step backwards and said I was a volunteer for the Dems. Her shock past, she remarked matter-of-factly Yes, it's voting day, so I told her who I sought. They were both at work. She didn't didn't if they had voted but was sure they would.Two large dogs now took advantage of her brief inattention to frisk from the gate towards freedom. Our conversation paused as she bossed them back into the yard

I didn't mean to startle you, I apologized

Oh, no! Don't worry. It's OK

[deaniac21]

1. Is this story coming in installments or do I just not get it?

[struggle4progress]

2. That's the last installment. There might be a sequel coming out in 2012

[sally cat]

3. Was this a paying job or a voluntary thing without compensation?

[struggle4progress]

4. a paying job?

nope

it was "I really really really want Dems to turnout so Pubs don't control Congress and Congressional redistricting"

I think we would have done better on Tuesday if more people had done this

And I think we'd win more issue fights if more people did something this for their issues between elections

[sally cat]

5. Most people probably feel the same way about this as when holy rollers go door to door. Political

decisions aren't made by talking to a stranger at your door.

[struggle4progress]

7. Could be. I managed to have brief and very pleasant conversations with almost everyone.

I didn't stick my foot in anybody's door, and as far as I can tell what we did here in Durham NC really worked: David Price was re-elected to Congress by perhaps the largest margin of anyone anywhere in the country

I can't imagine anything that could beat the effects of the Citizens United ruling except people-power; I know from long experience people-power works; and I say we should use it

[rgbecker]

6. Have enjoyed your dispatches from the front. nt.