Local... Candidate Bumper Stickers seen... a big deal in a late primary

[salin]

state.

First, I am in Indiana where the late primary (May) takes us out of any play. As such it is highly unusual to see active primary politicking - talking yes, activism promoting specific candidates - especially so early? Highly Unusual.

Second, I am in Indiana where on the presidential election we have no play (haven't voted for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson.) So while folks will work for the Democrats in the general election, generally as much energy goes into local and state races as it does for the presidential race.

Third, I am in a college town - so folks here are not exactly (by a long-shot) representative of the state as a whole.

A couple of weeks ago I started noticing that I was seeing bumper stickers for a number of different democratic presidential candidates. Thus far I have seen: Dean, Kucinich (both of these groups were active early), more recently - Kerry, Edwards and Clark.

Folks on the ground are active in ways I have not seen before. I have not been involved with a particular group (far too early in the process) - but have been paying attention. I believe that a number of folks active are not traditionally active in the party. This is a very good sign. Higher urgency, greater attention, more talking one on one with others for a much longer period of time leading up to the primaries and general election. All have the potential to get more people working on intentional GOTV efforts, to pinpoint potential swing voters and get them more informed on issues, etc.

Do you notice any changes locally related to the upcoming elections compared to previous election cycles?

[TSIAS]

1. Interesting

I've seen two Kucinich stickers the past 2 days in Palm Beach County. I've only seen one other Dean sticker, along with a Kerry one.

Most of the stickers I see are Bush/Cheney from 2000. :(

[JohnKleeb]

2. I've seen Dean, Kucinich stickers mostly

Dean had a rally near here in late summer, the one in I believe Vienna. I saw a kid with a Dean button in school too.

[TSIAS]

6. I hadn't seen Kucinich bumper stickers before yesterday

I have this bumper sticker that reads, "There's dirt under every Bu$h". I've actually seen about a dozen of them around town. I saw that on the same car with the Kucinich sticker.

[JohnKleeb]

10. nice shit

[salin]

8. In this time I have only seen 1 'bush /cheney' (2000) decal

and that was in Indianapolis. For whatever reason, many of those seem to have disappeared....

[TSIAS]

12. To make things worse

I see a lot of JEB! stickers.

[salin]

13. Those would drive me (while driving) to distraction.n/t

[shanti]

3. i saw my first dean bumpersticker a few days ago

on the way to san francisco...

[truthseeker1]

4. Lots of Kucinich

Some Dean

I'm in LA - mostly driving around Hollywood, West Hollywood, Studio City, Burbank, Glendale areas.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. Lots of Dean stickers here

and to a lesser extent Kucinich and Kerry.

[mdmc]

9. I work with troubled kids

and one of them pointed out a Kucinich sticker on a Taurus the other day. I've also seen alot of Bush/Cheney 2004 stickers.

[Pithlet]

7. I saw a Dean bumper sticker the other day

here in Tennessee. I think that is the first candidate bumper sticker I've ever seen before a primary, ever. I think it may also be the first Democratic candidate bumper sticker I've ever seen in this highly politically conservative area.

[patricia92243]

11. Dean Bumper sticker here in Asheville, North Carolina

[newsjunkie]

14. I live in E Texas

and its highly Republican but I haven't seen ANY Bush stickers yet this time (only saw about five last election). But I saw a Kucinich sticker about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving at a Walmart parking lot and I was amazed. I haven't seen anyone elses but I have my car plastered with Dean for Texas stickers! Yeah!

[11 Bravo]

15. I've not seen many, but here in Northern Virginia

the preponderence of Dem stickers that I have noted have been for Wes Clark.

[JohnKleeb]

16. Ive yet to see any but then again lol I dont get around much

Sigh that damn eye of mine. I dont drive being with my age.

[bicentennial_baby]

17. MA- Dean. Kucinich, Clark

No Kerry! Lots of Kucinich, a fair amount of Dean and CLark

[w13rd0]

18. I live in Gephardt's district...

...I've seen one Geph sticker. Seen quite a few Dean, two Kucinich, one Mosley-Braun, one Bush/Cheney2004, and two Anybody Else in 2004.

[jburton]

19. Yep!

"Do you notice any changes locally related to the upcoming elections compared to previous election cycles?"

I'm in Dallas, and it seemed like Dean lived in Texas half of the summer.

Dallas rally (thousands at city hall plaza in Texas summer weather -- unbelievable!) Houston events, Austin, San Antonio, etc. This is in addition to the more private fundraising events. All of this over a year before the general election in a state no Dem has a chance of winning in 2004.

Of course, other candidates (Kerry comes to mind) have been here too, I just don't keep track of them as much.

In past cycles, Dem prez candidates would usually make an obligatory appearance in Austin, plus a fundraiser in Dallas and Houston. That was it.

Oh yeah, there aren't NEARLY as many Bush stickers on cars this year as there were for the 2000 cycle.

[beyurslf]

20. I have seen Dean bumper stickers here

in Wichita (KS) but no one else yet.