If you are canvassing in a swing state & staying overnight; BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU BOOK

[debbierlus]

I campaigned for Kerry in NH the Halloween weekend before the election.

I booked a hotel reservation, and I didn't think much of it. I ended up going alone because my husband couldn't make it.
When I came into the hotel with my Kerry button, I noticed a bit of silence at my entrance. When I went up to the hotel to check in, the women at the front desk were wearing Women for Bush stickers on their shirts, and it soon became clear that I was in the midst of Repub territory. The conference room was open and I looked in to see a slew of Bush people with Bush signs.

I went straight to my room and locked the door. I didn't leave my room until I went to canvas the next day. When I left the hotel the next day, utter silence fell again as I walked past the lobby filled with Bush advocates. Lots of low whispering. I probably shouldn't have for my own safety, but I held my head up high with my Kerry button on my chest, and I scanned the room slowly and looked at them dead on. They wouldn't meet my eye. When I left the hotel the next morning (I swear that this is true), there was an a very overweight man without a shirt waving the most enormous American flag at the edge of the hotel entrance. His chest was painted as an American flag. His face was painted red white & blue. He had a pair of parachute pants on with the flag colors. He was shouting and grunting and hopping around like a complete idiot.

It was creepy. Really creepy.

Lesson - be careful where you book.

[gratefultobelib]

1. In my area, the out-of-towners are staying with local volunteers. I have

signed up for 3 myself. Very excited about it!

[murielm99]

2. Sounds like something a friend of mine did.

We had our Democratic convention at a hotel in the state capitol. She stayed an extra night so she could meet some friends in the area.

The next day, all the republicans were in the same hotel for their convention. They were everywhere with their McCain gear and Bush stickers. She checked out wearing her Obama shirt and a slew of Democratic campaign buttons. She couldn't get out of there fast enough.

[Tarc]

3. Where on earth was this?

I realize there's still some very isolated redneck parts of my state, but this seems a little weird for NH. Curious to know where it was, so I can avoid it like the plague. :)