Rich's Reflections 9-6-10

Statement

Door-to-Door… the perils are as old as politics itself

Forget about all the high-tech, whiz-bang technology for getting in touch with the voters. The most tried and true method since the first Neanderthal ran for clan chief is going cave-to-cave to meet your constituents face-to-face. Nothing beats saying, "Hi, I'm Ugg and I'd like to represent you at the tribal council."

Well, okay, it's a little more sophisticated than that now… but not much. Computerized "walk lists" tell candidates or volunteers which houses to hit where the likelihood is best to swing a vote… and no, it is not the tried and true party voters -- it is the Independent or the "swing" voters.

I really love doing D2D (that's politico jargon). There is no better way -- for better or worse -- to feel the pulse of your constituents. Yeah, I've had a couple of folks slam the door in my face, but I have found that most people are really willing to listen -- even if they disagree. Most people are good people. And the conversation that ensues is full of nuggets of knowledge that every elected official needs to know about what is important to his constituents. And that is what it is all about (or it should be): how the voters want you to represent them.

D2D comes with a few guaranteed hazards… most of which are usually canine in nature. I've written before about my experiences with these four-legged creatures and while I've met some disagreeable voters, I have yet to be bitten by one. But this past Saturday I met my ultimate challenge: I was accosted by… a duck.

Actually, I was accosted by two ducks but one must have had some chicken in his background. I was doing D2D in the city of Sylvania and when I approached the porch of a certain house, I was suddenly met with an onslaught of "quack-quack-quack." A large white duck appeared from under the bushes and began attacking my pant leg while uttering all sorts of nasty duck-dialogue. It was clearly a Democrat duck. Its associate was not quite as aggressive, but stood off to the side quacking all sorts of encouragement (it may have been a swing voter).

At the very next house I was met by a tomcat who was clearly upset that he had not been fed or acknowledged that morning. Had the residents answered the door, I could have never carried on a conversation over the cat's insistent vocalizations. I love cats; we have several at home. But this guy took "merr-oup-ing" to a professional level! And he followed me all the way down the driveway, complaining about his state of affairs. It's a good thing that cats can't vote - I think I lost his.

We have all sorts of amazing technology at our fingertips every day. But the reality of politics is still one-on-one with the voter. Every vote counts and I am dismayed by people who skip voting because they think "they don't matter.' In a typical Congressional district of 600,000 to 700,000 voters, one vote CAN make a difference.

Please, get out there and vote and commit to bringing at least one friend to the polls with you!

God Bless America,
Rich

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