Just back from a long weekend in NH

[cally]

I spent three and 1/2 days campaigning for Clark in NH. It is extremely cold there now and I commend all who are spending the winter campaigning. I made lot's of phone calls, helped with the Clark rally on Saturday, walked precincts, and wrote letters. My biggest impression is that most voters are undecided. Even if they expressed a preference, most said they are still considering other candidates. I can understand the Iowa results a little better because I think NH is just as volatile.

I heard from many that NH has never been like this before. Voters are extremely fed up with all the contacts from candidates. They are getting bombarded with calls from all. I also was struck by how polite most are compared to when I precinct walk in California. Funny thing is that Republican voters were some of the nicest when I mistakenly called them or knocked on their door. I would stumble and ask if they were a Democratic voter when they said they planned to vote for Bush. They then would politely direct me to the family member or neighbor that I wanted to talk to. I think it's because they have not had as many calls.

The NH campaigns are completely different than the California campaigns I'm familiar with. All buttons, bumperstickers, and signs are free. Campaigns constantly call asking voters to come meet the candidate in person. Voters have many chances to talk to candidates and ask questions.

I think most NH voters have a favorable impression of Clark. Noone had anything negative to say about Clark. The rally Saturday went great.

The campaign staff work incredibly long hours. They typically work from 9 am to 10 or 11 pm and often later. Several unpaid volunteers are also working those hours.

[Justice]

1. Thanks For the Great Post

Thanks for volunteering.

[jmaier]

2. Thank you.

I really enjoy these first hand accounts from the front lines!

:toast:

[spooky3]

3. me too, thanks.

[Mz Pip]

4. Thanks for the update!

Wish I could have been there! :hi:

Given what happened in Iowa I have little faith that the polls will accurately predict the outcome. So I wait on the edge of my chair...

MzPip
:dem:

[Leilani]

5. Thanks for the report

I heard some New Hampshire reporters saying the same thing you have reported: about how undecided people are. They also said people will decide late, & the debate will be influential.

[Terwilliger]

6. good for you, Sue!

:hi: Sounds like it was great fun for you :-)

Back to the warmer Cali climates, eh?

[cally]

7. I flew back to sunny skies

and warm weather. I love California! :-) Hi Ter :hi:

[Nashyra]

8. I'm leaving on Friday morning and staying thru a.m.28th

with my dad who is a Korean war Veteran, my son who is freshman at UNR and his roomate, (University of Nevada Reno)Can't wait. Any suggestions, I'll be going to Manchester?

[cally]

10. Think about going to Concord

It's a smaller office and so it's easier to become involved. Then just offer to help and start doing something rather than waiting to be asked. If you see someone making signs, preparing packets, or calling then just ask if you can take part of the job. Just be a good sport. The campaign knows what they are doing. And dress warmly. It's so cold.:scared:

[Crewleader]

9. Wonderful cally

Thank you for doing all you can to see the General elected.
I watch him on CSPAN tonight, excellent responses from the crowd when the General discuss is policies of making jobs...and his plans for national security, he rates A+ with his ideas and experience!
He arroused alot of people not to give up hope and all the good he will do as our President!

Thanks again for a great post cally and your great support! :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

11. Thank you for the report, Cally...

I bet they are tired of contacts--I have dealt with that in my work here in Mississippi.

Actually, here though, Republicans are nasty when I contact them by mistake--they are very protective of their image of Bush.

Thanks for what you are doing for Clark and for our party. :toast:

[pmbryant]

12. Welcome back!

Thanks for the posting about your trip, cally. And great to see that you survived the cold. :-)

Sounds like NH has reached saturation campaigning, if people are getting contacted so much that they are fed up. But it is nice to hear that even with that, most were still very polite.

:hi:

--Peter

[Toucano]

13. A million thanks

both for the report and the work you've done.

I switched to letter writing from calling people. It's just so much less intrusive.

People who support Clark even hung up on me! LOL!

I can't say I blame them too much though.