For years I've gathered great quotes from great writers. When I read those eight words of yours, they sounded in my head as a struck gong. I didn't collect them right at that moment, but every day since I have recalled them to myself - as we went on door-knocking and in any number of other moments.
Now, apres le deluge, they will evermore succinctly define for me our new era.
Confusion.
Of all the quotes in what Doug calls my Lexicon your eight words are the shortest, the pithiest. This is the mark of genius.
Dear Mitch, and yet now we know where things stand. From the ashes we will rise again. from the confusion we will find clarity. I too am grieving. But I am also scribbling and will share soon. Much love to you.
This was a fascinating read from the perspective of someone experienced running campaigns on the other side of the pond! I’m curious, but what data does the app use to tell you if someone is home or not, as obviously the other data you’re using on registrations gives you predicted voter intentions but knowing if they’re likely to be in or not is a new one on me! I also feel that we *might* have a different meaning for ‘canvassing’. Was the aim a) to talk to as many likely Democrat voters as possible to make sure they vote (as in any election actually turning your supporters out to vote is key), b) Spend the time trying to win over undecideds, or c) Identify your supporters who you don’t already hold data on so you can make sure they vote on or just before polling day. Or all three?
Hi Rachel -- the app in and of itself is fascinating. It updated in real time when someone voted; that actually happened a few times. But no, it doesn't tell you if voter is home or not -- but there was a place on the app to note if they came to door, etc. Our list targeted not-yet-voted (we have early mail-in ballots in PA) Dems + Independents. But as I wrote, in this particular part of the county, we met a handful of registered Independents who planned to vote for Trump. The primary aim as we understood it was to find out if they had a plan to vote + engage them as much as possible about their plan -- in person, mail-in, issues important. The only voters willing to talk about issues were the two undecideds we met.
Kim, it’s taken me a few days to reply because after you did I messaged a few people in politics ‘the Democrats use a real time app instead of committee rooms for GOTV (get out the vote)’ and it has blown so many minds because it’s so obviously better so why don’t we do it?! However, there is a lesson to learn that not everything translates well between British and American political campaigning as people keep trying to import ‘plan to vote’ and British voters really don’t seem to like the idea they need to ‘plan’ for voting 🙄😂
A fascinating account straight from ground zero - I really enjoyed reading it! I can't believe we're just 2 weeks out...it's a weird kind of purgatory state.
"I know where I am, but I don’t."
- Kim O'Donnel
For years I've gathered great quotes from great writers. When I read those eight words of yours, they sounded in my head as a struck gong. I didn't collect them right at that moment, but every day since I have recalled them to myself - as we went on door-knocking and in any number of other moments.
Now, apres le deluge, they will evermore succinctly define for me our new era.
Confusion.
Of all the quotes in what Doug calls my Lexicon your eight words are the shortest, the pithiest. This is the mark of genius.
Dear Mitch, and yet now we know where things stand. From the ashes we will rise again. from the confusion we will find clarity. I too am grieving. But I am also scribbling and will share soon. Much love to you.
Thank you for this essay. The world is panicking over the election here! The orange menace will destabilize everything!! People will die.
Diane, thank you for reading. Where are you typing from?
Tacoma WA. I used to work in a US Embassy.
This was a fascinating read from the perspective of someone experienced running campaigns on the other side of the pond! I’m curious, but what data does the app use to tell you if someone is home or not, as obviously the other data you’re using on registrations gives you predicted voter intentions but knowing if they’re likely to be in or not is a new one on me! I also feel that we *might* have a different meaning for ‘canvassing’. Was the aim a) to talk to as many likely Democrat voters as possible to make sure they vote (as in any election actually turning your supporters out to vote is key), b) Spend the time trying to win over undecideds, or c) Identify your supporters who you don’t already hold data on so you can make sure they vote on or just before polling day. Or all three?
Hi Rachel -- the app in and of itself is fascinating. It updated in real time when someone voted; that actually happened a few times. But no, it doesn't tell you if voter is home or not -- but there was a place on the app to note if they came to door, etc. Our list targeted not-yet-voted (we have early mail-in ballots in PA) Dems + Independents. But as I wrote, in this particular part of the county, we met a handful of registered Independents who planned to vote for Trump. The primary aim as we understood it was to find out if they had a plan to vote + engage them as much as possible about their plan -- in person, mail-in, issues important. The only voters willing to talk about issues were the two undecideds we met.
Kim, it’s taken me a few days to reply because after you did I messaged a few people in politics ‘the Democrats use a real time app instead of committee rooms for GOTV (get out the vote)’ and it has blown so many minds because it’s so obviously better so why don’t we do it?! However, there is a lesson to learn that not everything translates well between British and American political campaigning as people keep trying to import ‘plan to vote’ and British voters really don’t seem to like the idea they need to ‘plan’ for voting 🙄😂
and it's taken me a few days to reply to this! Thank you for sharing your perspective from the UK. Please send all your good vibes!
Fascinating and also 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Yes’mmmm
A fascinating account straight from ground zero - I really enjoyed reading it! I can't believe we're just 2 weeks out...it's a weird kind of purgatory state.
Totally weird, Ramya. And yet everything about this one defies all sense of normal…please take good care!
I think you might be speaking for a shitonne of people in the US now who’d say, “I know where I am, but I don’t.”
Fascinating, KOD☮️
Wherever you go, there you are I suppose but not this time!!
Great story, Kim!
We're door-knocking in and in the county around Red Lodge. Doing our darnedest to keep Tester in the Senate for MT.
Door knocking is hard work. Please keep me posted w dispatches from Red Lodge!