Canvassing in Michigan

This weekend I had the opportunity to canvass for Obama in Grand Rapids, MI. I cannot give very much money to the campaign, seeing as how the economy is in crisis and what not, but I can give my time, so I have phone banked and signed up for Michigan. Of course, two days before we are set to go, McCain pulls out. That doesn't change the ground game though; the final push to register voters in the state was still imperative. I like parroting e-mails from the campaign.

We set off for Michigan very bright and early for a Saturday morning, especially for someone who doesn't sleep very well. We arrived in Grand rapids somewhere around 1, I want to say, had a lunch and debriefing session, and then set off. Amy and I partnered up for a street in Wyoming, which is just south? some direction? of Grand Rapids.

I have only been to Michigan once for more than a drive through, and I had never been in that area. I had mostly apartment buildings to canvass, and I was rather reminded of "8 Mile," which I am kind of ashamed to say. Not that I don't trust Eminem's artistic representation of his upbringing, it's just that you hope that's what it's not really like. Or at least I do.

Anyhow, I knocked on a little over 50 doors during my time in Michigan. I probably only got responses on 20% of those doors. The majority of people were overwhelmingly supportive -- they at the very least told me they were voting for Obama. More often than not, I was met with a cloud of pot smoke and the sound of giggling as soon as the door closed, but hey, if they said they were voting (if they were of age to do so.) I hope they remember. I only met with two houses of McCain supporters; one seemed hesitant to tell me who they were supporting, but I could tell. The other was a family -- the husband was doing some yard work and yelled at me as I approached. He didn't come near me though, and his wife at least listened to what I had to say before telling me that her husband was definitely voting for McCain, and she was leaning that way. But if that was the most horrible encounter of my day, I'd gladly take it.

The best part of my day, the part where I felt like I was doing something (for America!) was when I registered people to vote. I knocked on one door, and the younger brother answered. I did my "Hi! My name is Mel and I am canvassing as a part of Obama's Campaign for Change" spiel anyhow, and I heard someone say, "Let me call you back, I want to hear this!" A young pregnant girl came to the door, and we ended up talking for quite some time. We registered her to vote; she asked lots of questions; I tried my best to explain the Bailout to her (and many thanks to Kat Gotsick for explaining it to me a couple of hours beforehand.) This girl was excited, and interested, and even though it seemed like the most cliche women's voting moment ever, it made me happy. I cried and cried as soon as I walked away.

The Obama campaign sent out a text reminding people to watch the debates, and also instructing people to reply if they wanted to volunteer. I will phone bank these next couple Saturdays, and I will gladly give another day. I hate to say it, but my motives are purely selfish -- I don't want to be crying on November 5th again.