The DrFunkenstein '03 Tour Hits New Hampshire

[DrFunkenstein]

Greetings comrades of every stripe! I see you have all somehow managed to get along without me for a couple days. I just got back in town last night after spending the weekend in New Hampshire canvassing for Kerry. It was truly an amazing, educational, gratifying, and gosh-dang fun experience.

I went up with a busload of college kids from New York and helped go door to door getting out the message. It was the first time I had done real grassroots work since high school (further back in time than I'd like to imagine).

I had thought I'd be going in a hurricane, but it turned out to be absolutely gorgeous. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Everybody I talked to up there was wonderful, both the campaign staff and volunteers and just the people of New Hampshire generally. It is interesting because they go through this ritual every 4 years, and each of them reacts differently to the phenomenon.

Although most people were undecided, almost everyone said they wanted the same thing - someone who could not just take on Bush, but actually take him down.

The drive up was a hell starting at the ass-crack of dawn, and I ended up sleeping on the floor of a YMCA, but somehow the tribulations only seemed to add to the excitement of actively participating in our democracy.

Needless to say, all the college kids were wonderful. Although when I shave I can pass for college-age (in fact, I had problems getting a beer at one point), I really felt my age there. I kept thinking about the college courses I taught in grad school and that these people were the age of my students. Sobering thought.

Of course, the highlight had to be hearing Kerry speak Saturday night. With the exception of his Boston announcement speech, I had never heard him so fired up and so damned inspiring. My heart felt like it was going to burst as he spoke, and believe me I'm no school girl. He really has done an amazing job of sharpening his message, and on Saturday it sounded like he was ready to move mountains.

I may not get there with him, but that doesn't matter anymore. I have looked over the mountaintop and I've seen the promised land. So I'd say it was a pretty good weekend, all in all.

PS - It would be criminal of me not to mention that there were several absolutely wonderful ladies that are dyed in the wool Democrats and were just so nice to take us in and feed us a lovely spaghetti dinner Saturday.

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I also got to see him Thursday rocking out on the Intrepid with Moby and Chic! Got all gussied up with the Mrs. and everything! And, truth be known, the Intrepid itself was just a great place to stage the whole thing.

Note: Kerry may have the old school guitar, but his pose is pure Sonic Youth.

[DJcairo]

1. Awesome dude, I had a concert otherwise I would have been there too

Sounds great. I expect some tightening polls in NH thanks to your efforts!

[DrFunkenstein]

2. When That Happens

I will take full responsibility.

Another trip is planned for October. If you're interested, talk to the Kerrycore folks for info. New Hampshire is supposed to be amazing in October, so I'm seriously considering another New Hampshire leg to the DrFunkenstein '03 tour.:-)

For some reason, I was the only person there that called it that, though...

[Fabio]

3. Great Work DrF

I was supposed to be on the trip but have been down with Bronchitis.
Argh.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. You Would Have Never Made It

Although it would have been great if you could have made the trip, it was no place to recover from being sick. It was a pretty exhausting endeavor. I think I'll still be recovering well into the week. I just hope I'm up for the October trip. I've always wanted to see New England in autumn. Maybe I'll see you there.

In any case, I hope you're feeling better now.

[DJcairo]

4. Dude, I'll be there if I can. The pictures out of NH this weekend

looked great. I guess Kerry gave some awesome speech in Keen NH. The AP had a nice article with lots of nice quotes from undecided who were Kerry leaning.
Did you see this nice new poll.http://www.surveyusa.com/currentelectionpolls.html

Looks like Kerry is very strong in Iowa and getting stronger. I don't think Dean and Gep can stay that tight forever. One will probably implode and Kerry is there to moe into second.

[DrFunkenstein]

5. I Wonder If The Firefighter Endorsement (Fingers Crossed)

Will affect Iowa - or NH for that matter.

I noticed that alot of New Hampshire undecideds listed the environment as a top concern, and knew about Kerry's solid record and Dean's not-so-solid one as well. But what impressed me most was just seeing people that really identified with the Party. So many people I saw were Democrats with a capital "D." It was a good feeling.

[DrFunkenstein]

6. I Can't Believe I Forgot About Britney Spears!!!

Just as we were about to leave in the wee hours of the morning, we met Britney Spears completely off her head outside a deli on Broadway. It was a very strange way to start off the tour, especially considering she believes no one should question our Commander-in-Chief. But I guess she'll feel the same way, though, once Kerry becomes President.

[DJcairo]

7. Are you serious? Was she wasted?

[DrFunkenstein]

9. I'm Not Even Sure If It Was Booze

She was having some real issues keeping her act together. She was a drooling mess, rocking back and forth.

[DJcairo]

10. Whoa was there a crowd around her?

[DrFunkenstein]

11. No just two of her friends/entourage

We were the crowd.

[DJcairo]

12. That's crazy---anyway, its awesome you went to NH

How many went with you?