Voting in Maryland
Wow. Just wow. I got up early to go vote, and was surprised that the lines were not very long. But I went after the before-work crunch and before the lunchtime and after-work crunch time. I took my daughters with me to the polls, and they were as excited as I was! My older one is almost (but not yet)13 and my younger one is 9, so they could both go into the voting booth with me and watch me vote. I took a picture with my cell phone, but can't get it to upload properly, or I'd post it. I live in a very conservative part of Maryland, which is a blue state overall, but the Eastern Shore is red; however, my polling place is at an AME church in a predominately African American section of town, so I'm guessing most people going to this location voted for Obama. : )
After we voted, we headed over to our local Democratic headquarters to do some volunteering. In the morning, we did some canvassing for the Congressional candidate, Frank Kratovil. When it started to rain, we called it a day and headed back for lunch. At the headquarters, I made calls to voters in Pennsylvania. My younger daughter kept a running tally of how many people said they were voting for Obama; it was 112 by the time we left at 3:30 p.m. Both daughters were so enthusiastic about being involved in the campaign, and I hope that stays with them for the rest of their lives!
The people who voted for Obama were enthusiastic about him. I had a few people who were rude when I asked if they minded if I asked who they voted for, and told me, "None of your business." I turned to another volunteer and asked, "None of your business? Is he running as a write-in candidate?" and we laughed. One man, when I asked who he was going to vote for, said, "Hmmm. That's a good question. Who should I vote for?" So, of course, I told him, "Obama!" And someone else told me he was voting for Ted Nugent!
One lady who was also volunteering, who was probably in her 70s and had a foreign (maybe German?) accent, agreed with me that this is probably the most important election yet. I am so full of pride that I can be a part of it, both with my vote and with the volunteer work. We must work to ensure that Obama is elected, and when he is sworn in, I know I will cry. (Sad note: I'm sorry his grandmother did not live long enough to see it.)
While we were making calls, a good-looking African American man came in, followed by a reporter with a TV camera. I discovered that he was Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown! He shook hands all around and was very interested in everyone; then he did a short TV interview.
On days like today, I am so proud to be part of the democratic process in this county, and thrilled to be alive at this time, and old enough to vote. Now it's just time for the waiting and the praying!
(Sorry for the length of the post, but I am so excited, I had to share!)
After we voted, we headed over to our local Democratic headquarters to do some volunteering. In the morning, we did some canvassing for the Congressional candidate, Frank Kratovil. When it started to rain, we called it a day and headed back for lunch. At the headquarters, I made calls to voters in Pennsylvania. My younger daughter kept a running tally of how many people said they were voting for Obama; it was 112 by the time we left at 3:30 p.m. Both daughters were so enthusiastic about being involved in the campaign, and I hope that stays with them for the rest of their lives!
The people who voted for Obama were enthusiastic about him. I had a few people who were rude when I asked if they minded if I asked who they voted for, and told me, "None of your business." I turned to another volunteer and asked, "None of your business? Is he running as a write-in candidate?" and we laughed. One man, when I asked who he was going to vote for, said, "Hmmm. That's a good question. Who should I vote for?" So, of course, I told him, "Obama!" And someone else told me he was voting for Ted Nugent!
One lady who was also volunteering, who was probably in her 70s and had a foreign (maybe German?) accent, agreed with me that this is probably the most important election yet. I am so full of pride that I can be a part of it, both with my vote and with the volunteer work. We must work to ensure that Obama is elected, and when he is sworn in, I know I will cry. (Sad note: I'm sorry his grandmother did not live long enough to see it.)
While we were making calls, a good-looking African American man came in, followed by a reporter with a TV camera. I discovered that he was Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown! He shook hands all around and was very interested in everyone; then he did a short TV interview.
On days like today, I am so proud to be part of the democratic process in this county, and thrilled to be alive at this time, and old enough to vote. Now it's just time for the waiting and the praying!
(Sorry for the length of the post, but I am so excited, I had to share!)