Philly Day 2

All gas, no brakes.

187 + 120 = 307

Dearest readers--today was a good day!

Dusk came an hour earlier, but I still managed to hit 187 doors, a personal best. (At least if you exclude those few days in my campaign where I was just dropping materials at the door and not knocking).

That puts me at 307 doors in two days.

I read that the campaign knocked 807,000 doors in Pennsylvania yesterday. It is wonderful to be a part of a movement of so many people who care so much.

(Still, more is needed unfortunately. We are within what pundits call “the margin of effort.” Please join me by making phone calls for Harris! Getting out the vote in battleground states the most important thing left to do!)

My journey through neighborhoods is going faster than in Seattle because the homes are closer together with fewer stairs and people don’t want to chat quite as long when you aren’t the candidate. Also, the Eagles played this evening, which meant fewer open doors in the last hour.  

Some interesting surprises today. I had some good discussions with a few Trumpers, or probably-not-gonna-vote folks. I think I may have won a couple over, though I’m trying to resist the temptation to persuade (something regular readers will know I find very difficult!) since my job now is just GOTV. I am mostly sticking to my marching orders.

There have been some real surprises along the way—older, white, rough-around-the-edges working-class men, all fired up for Harris. And some surprises in the other direction too. I am also seeing what pollsters have been pointing to—some softening among Democratic support among young, black men, and broader ambivalence in the Spanish speaking community. That worries me.

But all in all, I am working in Kamala territory, and it is fun to see so darn much support in a place that feels so different than Seattle’s particular bubble.

One other thing I’m struck by is how much the campaigns are doing here. There are flashing billboards everywhere, and every time I see a TV through a window, it has a Harris or Trump ad playing.

Most of the country gets left out when it comes to having a real say compared to the swing states. But here people are barraged and exhausted. I even got stuck in traffic last night because of a motorcade that needed to squeeze by me that I’m pretty sure involved Michelle Obama (if I read right). And tomorrow I may end up at a rally after canvassing that includes Oprah, Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and many others—opening for Harris.

Anyway, I just wanted to keep you in the loop—not because you need to ready my less-edited-than-usual and more chatty writings about my personal goings-on, but because I want to invite you in as much as possible so you might find the motivation to join and help however you can.

(Please join me by making phone calls for Harris!)

A Monument And Reflection

A reflection before bed. Last night I walked into Washington Square and saw this monument. I’ve seen in when visiting before, but it never struck me so strongly as it does now for reasons that are obvious and grievously sad.

It says:

Freedom is a light for which men have died in darkness.

In unmarked graves within this square lie thousands of unknown soldiers of Washington’s army ho died of wounds and sickness during the Revolutionary War.

“The independence and liberty you possess are the work of join councils and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings and success.” (Washington’s Farwell Address)

Friends, let us endeavor together into common dangers, sufferings and, most hopefully, success.