canvassing in Hoboken, NJ- a snapshot

[npincus]

my neighbor and I canvassed together on Saturday afternoon- a cloudless, warm, sunny gorgeous day... we did a block of old apartment buildings, mainly walk-ups, largely Hispanic. Maybe 25-35% were home, all were "solid Obama" with 1 undecided, 3 Republicans, and one "go away".

It was my/our first time canvassing and it was very encouraging... one lady invited us in for soda and offered us a snack.... we helped her with a change of address form so she will vote her (she moved from another city a few weeks ago).

[Adelante]

1. Good job!

Thank you :)

[TheDoorbellRang]

2. I'd sure be interested in knowing how many volunteers are canvassing for Obama

I did my second weekend of canvassing in rural Missouri. Just in one tiny town, there were several of us -- all white middle-aged women -- out canvassing. This weekend we were going back to houses where folks hadn't been home on a first pass through or were undecided.

Quite the organization our Obama has, eh?

(edited for typo)

[npincus]

6. hard to say... the sign up sheets had lots of names for the vaious slots...

but they certainly could use more people. I was surprised to see so many volunteers from neighboring cities to mine, not just younguns either, but all ages... The energy is great, and so nice to be with like-minded folks!

Yes, it sure is quite the organization. :)

[rvablue]

12. Tell us more

What were people saying in your part of rural Missouri?

I love these first hand accounts and find them enlightening.

[TheDoorbellRang]

14. This was my second trip down there

Here's my experience from two weeks ago:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7241465

I've been canvassing in Bowling Green, a small burg in NE Missouri. This trip there seemed like there was hardly anyone home; it was a gorgeous weekend there, but I had some good encounters when I did catch folks at home. One woman invited me inside to talk to both her and her husband. I spent about a half hour there. He surprised his wife by saying he's leaning toward Obama "because we just can't do this for four more years." She's still torn -- she really wanted Hillary and is disgusted with "all the lies" on tv, so she doesn't like either one. I told her to check out snopes and factcheck.org for a nonpartisan take.

I think one of the problems in these rural places is lack of internet access. One harried mom repeated the same as the above woman -- she doesn't trust the media anymore but doesn't know who to believe. She also had no internet access, so I just told her why I supported Obama and hope I influenced her a little. Another little old lady told me she just wasn't voting this time -- she didn't like anyone running.

Met more McCain supporters this trip than last time. One told me he was for McCain but did talk to me a bit, and ended the conversation by praising me for what I was doing.

The only nut I ran into wasn't on my list. I was walking down the street when a guy in his sideyard asked me what I was surveying. When I told him he waved his hand dismissively and said, "Obama is a Marxist!1!!1!" I didn't want to waste time with him so I just smiled sweetly, "Well, have a nice day. It's good to hear you're voting."

I'm going down there one more time before November 4th. Not sure where they'll send me because I think we've pretty well saturated the area. This is a far cry from 2004, when it seemed like everyone was drinking the Bush Koolaid and not many were saying otherwise. If Obama does as well in the rural areas as I think he will, the huge majority for him in the cities will carry him over the top in Missouri. Look for Missouri to swing blue after 11 P.M. on election night.

[Beacool]

3. You must have gone to the projects or the Appllied Housing bldgs

if they were all mainly Hispanics.

[npincus]

4. hey, Beacool.

We canvassed east and west sides of Willow between 8th and 9th Streets. The west side of Willow on that block is comprised of mainly apartment 'blocks'- buildings that are interconnected internally (some very confusing floor/apartment numbering) and largely Hispanic. My Spanish is bad, my neighbor speaks a little Porteguese... we managed. The east side are the small (more browntone-proportioned) walk-up builings that are diverse, a mixed bag- with approx 2 apratments per floor. But on that street the west side is the higher-density zone, more residents.

I live between Willow & Clinton, 2 blocks south. It was interesting to get inside the buildings I've been passing all these years! (My daughter goes to Wallace).

[Beacool]

5. You were in my neighborhood.

I'm on 8th & Washington. I know that block, most of the people were Hillary supporters. As were most Hispanics in NJ.

[npincus]

7. all I can say is, lots of enthusiasm for our Democrats down the line

Obama-Lautenberg-Sires. Lots of smiles, "solid" support.

I just wish more were home, but who could blame anyone for being out on a day like that.

[Beacool]

8. Hudson County is the most Democratic county in the state.

No surprise that there would be large support for any Democrat.

[npincus]

9. nice to see it up close and personal.

[Beacool]

10. I'm an old hand at this, but it must be exciting for you

if you've never done it before. Enjoy yourself, you'll meet some nice people.

[bettyellen]

11. good for you. and thanks!

i did some calls.

[npincus]

15. and thank you, too...

I think making calls is hard... but I'll do it if they ask. :)

[Jersey Devil]

13. Very surprised and pleased Hoboken is being canvassed

I figured Hudson County was a given Democratic stronghold but my guess is that this is targeted canvassing and the fact that much of it is part of the next step, identifying favorable voters for GOTV efforts. My son lives on Bloomfield & 10th.