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Below is part of a Swing the Vote email describing what we have been subject to in New Hampshire in the past 24 hours. This is not the New Hampshire that I campaigned in 2000 and 2004.
"The stakes are enormous, both on the substantive issues, but maybe as importantly, in the tone an Obama presidency could set for our country – one of optimism, reconciliation, neighborly caring and respect and joy for our diversity.
The other side has been tolerant of the vilest statements – signaling through the ranks of right-wing supporters that making insults and threats will be tolerated, maybe even encouraged. For the first time up here yesterday at Swing the Vote’s anti-McCain standout in Concord, NH, I heard the “N--------“ word used. That ugly racial epithet was yelled out of a passing car by a young man, screaming, “No way we’re gonna help some N-------- become president.” (My Missouri step-sister says down there, people openly talk about Obama that way. Ironically, I’d commented afterwards that at least we weren’t hearing that kind of talk in New Hampshire. Sadly, I can’t say that anymore. )
Yesterday evening at McCain’s Peterborough event, the mood was tense outside, as McCain and Obama supporters faced each other across the street by Town Hall. A woman carrying her little dog, dressed in a dog sweater with Obama stickers on it, came up to me to recount, with alarm and worry in her voice, “I’ve been here two hours and it has been really ugly. They said I don’t have a right to be here. But I live here. They even threatened to kill my dog.” This morning at our stand-out in Keene, NH, a man nearly stopped his truck on the busy highway to yell at me “As soon as McCain wins, the first thing we’re gonna do is kill all the lawyers, and you’re on the list, A-hole.” (I happen to be a lawyer and have been somewhat prominent in Swing the Vote’s work around Keene.)
We need an Obama victory to make sure our country does not descend further into intolerance and violence. Please find some time to help in any way you can, either through Swing the Vote or any of the other progressive and democratic organizations working for an Obama victory this Tuesday. A calendar of Swing the Vote Election Day and Election Eve work follows below.
To victory on November 4th!"
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