Volunteers persist against long odds
Party faithful keep manning phones, knocking on doors for votes in states considered lost causes
COLUMBIA — Jovene Milligan spent hours knocking on doors in South Carolina trying to spread her enthusiasm for Barack Obama. She watched as Oprah Winfrey packed a football stadium with 30,000 of his supporters. She cheered the back-to-back-to-back TV ads as candidates pressed for support before January's primaries.
Then it all ended. Candidates who had flitted for months through the state that hasn't picked a Democrat for president since 1976 vanished, as did their commercials. Campaign offices closed.
Mary Ann Chastain
AP
Jovene Milligan, 40, continues to volunteer for the Obama campaign as she looks through canvassing packets at the office of the Lowcountry headquarters for South Carolina Campaign for Change on Thursday in North Charleston. Long after the candidates stopped coming, thousands of volunteers are still hard at work.
"As soon as it was done and over, the very next day they'd head out to the next assignment," said Milligan, a 40-year-old Charleston sales manager.
Forget being one of those ballyhooed battleground states, shaded purple on pundits' maps and host to nonstop stump speeches in the waning days of the race. But months after heady primary wins in states like South Carolina considered solidly in Republican control on Nov. 4, and long after the candidates stopped coming, thousands of volunteers for both sides are knocking on doors, calling potential voters and handing out campaign signs.
"We tell people, 'Don't ever, ever take the vote for granted,' " said Grace Rentiers, a 57-year-old Columbia resident who put off returning to her job as a paralegal investigator to volunteer full-time for John McCain's campaign. "It's just all the same — the same visual grass roots that South Carolina has been known for ... phone calling and neighborhood walking, canvassing, putting out signs."
In Alabama, Obama won on Super Tuesday but the state is predicted to go to McCain on Election Day. But Obama campaign director Jerome Gray said volunteers are still working phones and college students are knocking on doors.
"People just want to weigh in and do their part. I've never seen this level of volunteerism in my 30 years of being involved in politics," he said.
In Wyoming, where Obama handily won caucuses in March, campaign volunteer Leya Oswald said she's spent hours calling voters in neighboring Montana, where the Democrat is thought to have more of a chance.
"That has been really exciting, because it gives us a sense of something we can do that could really make a difference," said Oswald, a 33-year-old owner of a Jackson Hole art gallery. "I keep thinking in the back of my head that, with this kind of enthusiasm, and with this kind of a volunteer effort, even in these very red states, I think some of these red states might come a lot closer than we think."
Well, probably not. Just take a clue from the candidates.
Obama hasn't been back to South Carolina since the state put the wind at his back heading into Super Tuesday. McCain has only returned once, for a fundraiser, since a win propelled by a bus tour and ads boasting of military heroism.
"The McCain campaign passed the ball to us after he won the nomination, and we certainly gladly accepted that," said state GOP chairman Katon Dawson.
The Republicans' confidence comes from experience. Not since Jimmy Carter's win in 1976 has a Democrat carried South Carolina in a presidential race. The party dominates South Carolina's Legislature and all but one statewide elected office. In July, Dawson even told McCain's campaign to spend money elsewhere.
McCain volunteers in traditionally Democratic strongholds are funneling resources into nearby states where the Republican might have a chance. In Massachusetts, 23-year-old Mike Valanzola spends each Wednesday manning a phone bank where volunteers make thousands of calls to voters in the battleground state of New Hampshire.
On Friday, South Carolina Democratic Party executive director Jay Parmley asked supporters to help in their home state before making long-distance calls.
"Before you agree to help them, I personally ask you to help with our election efforts here in South Carolina," Parmley wrote in an e-mail.
Experts say South Carolina supporters should take heart they helped nominate an eventual winner, but hold out little hope for Obama on Tuesday.
"The race in South Carolina might be a little bit closer by a few percentage points, but it would be a surprise if it's even a horse race," said Blease Graham, a political science professor at the University of South Carolina.
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Comments
This article has 36 comment(s)
Posted by exorcist_pencocky4u on November 3, 2008 at 5:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On Tuesday, you need to be totally informed as Senator Obama sums up everything he plans to do for America ....This looks rather strange though. Why is obama doing this and how can the poor and elderly afford it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHfy...
#http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHfy7s
Posted by moonpie on November 3, 2008 at 5:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes and don't forget all liberals vote Weds due to the expected high turn out in every state! Conservatives vote Tuesday only.... ;)
Posted by charlestonnetreader on November 3, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Moonpie, voter suppression is too serious to joke about. There have been too many REAL attempts to mislead people about when to vote. EVERYONE VOTES ON TUESDAY.
Posted by msplacedinsc on November 3, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
moonpie,
get a clue for god sake! Idiot!
Posted by exorcist_pencocky4u on November 3, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by spankerbuns on November 3, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you to all the hard working Obama volunteers!
Wouldn't it be great if South Carolina surprised the nation and the Democratic ticket beat out the republicans.
It could happen....
It will be very interesting tomorrow.
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Don't cry little one, obama is history inspite of trying to steal the election.
Posted by guidedbystewart on November 3, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Moonpie,
So you start off telling one lie of probably many lies that will be posted today. Why such the need to lie? I guess you guys will do anything, whether it lacks scruples or not!
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on November 3, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't put too much stock in exit polls. They were saying John Kerry was winning according to exit poll numbers last election. People will say whatever they think people wanna hear. I'm not looking forward to the long lines and possible trouble makers.
Calm down guidedbystewart! Moonpie was joking. If anyone is stupid enough to believe that, maybe they shouldnt vote.
Posted by msplacedinsc on November 3, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey serialmooner
we trusted the rebuplican party and George "W" the idiot and look where we are today as a nation here and abroad? Save your energy, your wisdom and money cause I don't see how the crochdy ole' man will win?
Posted by blackwoman on November 3, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To equate the loss of liberty with a constitutional scholar as president is beyond ignorance. McCain proposed "line-item vetoes" during his debate with Obama, he must have "forgot" that line item vetoes are unconstitutional. This race has been very divisive. McCain is a hothead, and his choice in picking Palin resembles a bad Disney movie. His tax policy only helps the wealthy, of which I am not one.
Posted by sgtrimez on November 3, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think if most people could look past Obama's race, they would find the real Obama. What most people don't know is that most muslims are racist extremists. They believe that everyone that is not muslim is evil and will do anything to cleanse that away. Most muslims in the arabic culture even go so far as to kill non-believers. Do you really want an extremist in the white house to ruin this country?
Posted by 5thGenerationLocal on November 3, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad it was a wasted attempt. No Democrap will ever win SC. We work too hard here for someone else to spend our money.
Down with Obama and his Socialist ways.
Posted by blackwoman on November 3, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama is not Muslim, you must be one of those people who have spread that viral e-mail. I have Muslim friends and none of them are extremists. The post 9/11 paranoia which the Bush administration has effectively used to justify the war in Iraq, warrantless wiretapping as well as Gitmo are some measurable types of losses of liberties. There has been greater loss of liberty in the past 8 years since our country rounded up the Japanese and put them into labor camps. Yeah I see it now, there will be sand and camels on the front lawn of the White House. Wake up to reality for God's sake!
Posted by jimmy1370 on November 3, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone ever heard Obama mention less government, individual freedom & responsibility? Does he believe this country is great because of its people or its government?
Posted by jimmy1370 on November 3, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually that should read less government OR individual freedom & responsibility.
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 3, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Jimmy I have heard him speak about personal responsibility and less government. He said in a Wolf Blitzer that there are government programs that do not work and should be cut from our budget.
That means less government. When you evaluate processes you can always trim expenses and produce more efficiently.
Not to mention what universal health care will cut from the Medicare and Medicaid expense budgets. Not sure about anyone else, but I don't think the Emergency Room should be considered Universal Health Care like Henry Brown does!
Posted by msplacedinsc on November 3, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jimmy1370,
it's both! We as a country are great because we have people who are free and a government that allows us to express our views, pray and live as we choose to.
Posted by hairy1663 on November 3, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Blackwoman, is this the same constitutional scholar that says he believes the second amendment is an individual right, except for those in DC.
Posted by jimmy1370 on November 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SpiderJohn, he may have spoken about government programs that do not work, but wants to replace them with ones that he believes will, or add goverment programs elsewhere. You mention Universal Health Care. How about that for a massive government program. When did health care become a right? Seems he is adding more government and taking away freedom as well all in one swoop.
Posted by willbillbedamned on November 3, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by sgtrimez on November 3, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think if most people could look past Obama's race, they would find the real Obama. What most people don't know is that most muslims are racist extremists. They believe that everyone that is not muslim is evil and will do anything to cleanse that away. Most muslims in the arabic culture even go so far as to kill non-believers. Do you really want an extremist in the white house to ruin this country?
http://suckaforlife.com/upodcast/2008/10... Here's a Muslim who won't get to vote.
I guess the good sgt. doesn't know it all.
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 3, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy - yes, it is a human right to have health care IMHO.
Suppose you are hit by a car and are laying on the street needing emergency assistance......but alas you have no health care coverage......should we leave you there to die? Or as another human being should I offer you whatever care we have to make sure you are OK?
If your agreement is that Emergency Room is your back-up, then you are using a form of welfare yourself. You will never be able to afford to pay the medical bills.....therefore higher costs are passed on to people like me that have health insurance through higher rates.
So you have just moved from a conservative to a liberal welfare user and a slacker for not paying your bills.
If you take the entire medical system (medicine, bandages, rooms, staffing, laundry, food services, equipment, and supplies) and you put it under one negotiating power you have just reduced the cost on every one of the items listed above.
Posted by LadyTarHeel on November 3, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy, I remember during the primaries the focus was on universal health care; however, since the end of the primaries, Obama has stated that universal health care isn't a fix. He wants to allow people to buy in to the same federal health benefits that government employees are provided. He even stated that if you have health care, then you get to keep it. If you don't then he is going to try to make it more affordalbe for you to BUY, not for the government to provide for you. At least that's the way I interpreted it. He also wants to prevent insurance companies from denying or terminating people's coverage because of pre-exisitng or chronic conditions. I have a pre-existing medical condition (multiple sclerosis) that basically no insurance company will cover since it is chronic. I am afraid that once I come off of my dad's insurance when I graduate in 3 years I wont be able to get coverage. MS is a very expensive disease to treat and I know no matter how much I make with my doctorate, I wont be able to cover it. Of the two candidates, Obama's health care plan seems to be the one that would most benefit me and many others in my situation.
Posted by blackwoman on November 3, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Listen for yourself from our next President's own mouth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu_LXb0ZP...
The DC handgun law was struck down in Heller (as it relates to private individuals). I want our State to narrowly circumscribe who can own a handgun. We don't want another Virginia Tech massacre. People with a history of mental illness, substance abuse and those who violate the law should never be allowed to own a gun. A waiting period and background check is crucial to protect others. Those who allow children to be injured by guns should be held criminally liable.
Posted by jimmy1370 on November 3, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LadyTarHeel, I have not heard him say this. So he is not for universal health care now. SpiderJohn, were you aware of this?
Posted by LadyTarHeel on November 3, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy, he's not for universal health care. He just wants to make it more affordable for people to have. Like I said, that's the way I interpreted it when he first said it at the 2nd debate.
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 3, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I call it Universal based on Hillary's old plan.
He is for everyone pooling together to get affordable insurance coverage. If you like your plan, you do not have to change, but it will allow small businesses to buy in at a lower premium. Very much like the plan our senators enjoy!
This will be an additional help for the small business owner along with his tax cut.
Posted by msplacedinsc on November 3, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Spiderjohn,
My wife is a doctor, she takes care of those who have health insurance and those whos don't. She does not have the time to ask if you are a neo-con or a liberal when she first meets people. Since the "religious right pharmacist" belive they won't depense the "pill" because it's against their beliefs than I wonder if my wifes belief's not to take care of those GOP supporters who vote for the GOP politicans who vote to undercut Medicad and Medicare programs? Poor people in this country are not just Democrats but Rebuplicans and Independants voters also. Your statement has alot of "holes"? Who's to say that it's fair for people who don't have children to have their taxes go to schools to educated other peoples children? Is it fair that we as Americans have to pay to bus folks around a town when we own our own car? You and your 'dark age" beliefs and uneducated ideas need to be treated like ill-mannered children "to be seen and not heard" from.
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 3, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
msplace - It is not an entire communities responsibility to educate our children. You know the children that will grow up and be expected to "take care of the elderly"?
I have not abdicated for not providing someone a medical service based on their political views. That would be against humanity!
You are being selfish and simple minded. Your wife should understand and should share that knowledge with you. She made an oath to first do no harm. That should apply to all of us and we should live it.
I have hopes and dreams that one day we will live together without political crap, without race crap, without sexism crap, without young vs. old crap, without the rich against the poor crap.......but until we stop being selfish we will never evolve.
EVOLVE DAMN YOU! EVOLVE!
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on November 3, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen Early! Biden is a loosed lipped old fool.
Posted by ColdBud on November 3, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While I think Obama has a pretty good chance of winning this election, I think it would suck to be an Obama supporter in the state of South Carolina and realize that your vote won't count for anything.
Regardless, I'm glad the vote is finally here.
Wouldn't it be cool if they had police at all of the polling stations and when a person came in to vote, the police checked them against a list of people with outstanding warrants? They could get dirt bags from all walks of life off of the streets... dead beat dads, crack whores that failed to appear... McCain and Obama supporters alike. Let them vote and then lock them up. They should do something like that... it'd be cool :)
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 3, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cold - that would be a form of intimidation! I thought you were of samer thoughts than this!
Are you passing out the false polling information as well?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on November 3, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell yeah ColdBud! Great idea! I could be entertained while waiting to vote.
Posted by ColdBud on November 3, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait a second... intimidation? Against who? People with outstanding warrants? Who cares? What difference does that make. As long as the list contains everyone that has an outstanding warrant, and not just those that support one candidate or another, it'd all be fair. Right? I have no problem with it. I did mention "let them vote" first... then lock them up. I can't see how it would affect anything unless one party has a significantly higher % of criminals suspects as supporters and I don't think that's the case.
Posted by hairy1663 on November 3, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blackwoman, thats BS! he flipped flopped on the issue after it was raised in the primaries. He stated in Chicago Tribune on Nov. 20, 2007 that he supported the DC gun ban. He says he supports the 2nd as an individual right but refuses to sign an Amicus Brief filed by over 300 members of congress in support of Heller. In the past he's voted to raise taxes by over 500% on firearms and ammunition,in the Illinois State Senate he voted for a bill that would have banned 95% of long guns including single and double barrel shotguns, in the US senate he voted for a bill that would have banned nearly all rifle ammunition & he is endorsed by the Brady Campaign. So maybe he does support the 2nd amendment, for the elite, he plans to make it impossible for everyday people. Remember he's a lawyer, he has been educated in twisting the facts in an effort to persuade the ignorant. There is something very wrong when a politician fears the ability of his law abiding constituents to arm themselves
Posted by guidedbystewart on November 3, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by ColdBud on November 3, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"While I think Obama has a pretty good chance of winning this election, I think it would suck to be an Obama supporter in the state of South Carolina and realize that your vote won't count for anything."
Sorry ColdBud, but that is about the most dumbass post you have ever made. BTW the president of the US is chosen by all of the US, not just the south or SC. With that logic, now who is really wasting their vote? A vote is a vote, and the last time I checked it is one vote for one person, which means each vote has the same value. Regardless of the outcome I am still expressing my opinion or my approval. I usually respect your comments, even when I disagree with them, but not with this comment.
Many of you might be surprised how close it will be in this State.
Prediction= 51 % McCain, 45% Obama;
Posted by Whopper on November 3, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not for Obama, but I do not think he is the devil or that the country is dooomed if he wins. Only a fool would believe that rhetoric.
Posted by ColdBud on November 3, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
guidedbystewart, my statement simply pointed out that if you vote for a candidate that does not win your state, your vote doesn't count for anything. That's simply due to our electorial college system. It's not something I made up. It's the same for the people in Mass. that will be voting for McCain.. their vote won't count for anything. Zero, nothing.. ziltch.