MyDD :: Thoughts from the ground...

Thoughts from the ground...

by iamready, Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:15:47 PM EST

Canvassed today.

First off, everyone is nice. Totally.

People will tell you up front, who they like first and second.

Now to the issues.

I see alot of Clinton signs at people's homes. But, the catch is that at least 30-40% of the people with Clinton signs are split voters. The edge is going to Obama over Edwards.

Of the Clinton supporters, quite a few men. I was smiling that the men caucus goers were steadfast and very specific for Clinton. Their main stronghold is leadership and familiarity with the Clintons. This is good for Hillary folks.

I ran into some Clinton canvassers. We talked. They were nice, but we were checking each other out, in a friendly way. But both groups made this point, no Edwards advocats out here. The Clinton canvassers believed it is because of money. I just listened and did concur, I saw no one. And my counterpart has only seen a few Edwards folk around for the past 3 weeks. Don't know what that mean, but just reporting.

Main issue with many, the war. And this is where Clinton has a problem. Many do not believe that she will be fortright or honest to get us out of Iraq. And those that were leaning her way will not vote for her now, because of the Kyl/Lieberman vote. One person stated, she did not know why Clinton mailed that mail piece out, because she was not fully aware that she voted that way until she read it.

Saw some Biden supporters, asked my counterpart how is it on the weekends and she said it appears Biden's support is growing and Richardson's is fading. Dodd non-existant.

Universal Healthcare is another issue many are concerned about. And folks are up in the air about that one, as far as candidate. Folks do like Edwards plan, but what I am hearing is that people are looking at this war and making decisions from that.

Again, it is early and I could be wrong, but the folks we spoke with this war is number one.

The most volunteers and staffers I see are Obama and Clinton. Hands down.

When you ask for the second pick, this is going to shock some, but Clinton is being named. And I counted. Followed by Obama. So, I know that there have been articles and reports, but I think this race is going to be between Clinton and Obama. Not Obama and Edwards. Yes, Edwards was mentioned but not as much as Clinton and Obama.

OK. Tired and will be back on the boards later.

Tags: Iowa, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards (all tags)

Permalink :: 31 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

cool beans - I wonder how much of the second choice is due to negativity coming from Edwards, and if Obama going on attack mode will change the dynamic.

Rise, Hillary, Rise

by sepulvedaj3 on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:19:47 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

I don't know what the Edwards skew is. I am in this area until Sunday. I am thinking the attacks don't matter. I did not hear one person state they are voting for a or b, because they are attacking Hillary. These voters are issue oriented and specific. So, I have to, for what I have seen, discredit the attach mode. I think the presence of Clinton and Obama is major. People do want to see differences from each candidate and decide from there. The Edwards supporters we met are steadfast, not going anywhere. But there are fence sitters. And they are listening. I think Clinton need to answer the questions more direct, on point, and have candor to nail Iowa. Again, her vote and the K/L is hurting her here. But if she make the effort, I think she will do better than many anticipate. Alot of people like Obama, alot. He is many number one or two.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:26:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Are you really in Iowa ?

giggle.

At least you gave a fair report , quite unusual coming from you.

Thank you for that.

When I speak I have a southern drawl.. When you come down here Stop and say hello I'm an American from south of the Mason Dixon line

by lori on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:20:07 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

yes, was supposed to leave later, but ended up coming here earlier. And believe, me, you should be happy with a report. It is not earth shattering but to get a perspective. Next month, I am working rural Iowa, that is where I really want to see what is going on.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:22:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Nice. Thank you for the report.

by dpANDREWS on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:21:52 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Yes, thank you for this and being fair. The one thing I am worried about is the 2nd choice- I did read where Obama is getting that a lot and I'm preparing myself for that possibility which would help him immensely, of course. I didn't realize money affected this so much, as well. It is hard for Edwards in the fact that if he blows all his money on Iowa, he will not have any afterward, which is exactly what Obama's campaign said would happen to him a month or so ago. Not that I feel bad for him, mind you....

NY TIMES ENDORSEMENT: "Mrs. Clinton is more qualified, right now, to be president.... She would be a strong commander in chief."

by reasonwarrior on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 06:36:33 PM EST

Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

If so, tell us about the area you are canvassing. We'll see if desmoinesdem is familiar with it and what her take is.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:17:46 PM EST

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Cedar Rapids. 4.5 hours where I live. I am familiar with Des Moines.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:28:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Well, Obama is lucky to have such a dedicated supporter. That's a long drive.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:32:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Next trip is north of Waterloo!!!

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:36:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Wow. Well, it's an adventure if nothing else. Iowa must be beautiful this time of year. You should take alot of pictures for yourself. It sounds likes a fun experience. I live near NH, but I am not the canvassing type.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:39:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

This trip is an eye opener. Interesting. Still thinking things through and will see how things go tonight. The best thing is having my laptop and sprint wireless card to keep up with what is going on.

One other thing. And this is why the McClurkin controversy is inside the netroots bubble. Noone is talking about it. Period. They either don't care, don't know about it, or dismissed it. So, as the netroots are heated and think Obama is dead, it is quite the opposite. Which means that traditional media still is the number agent of which people get their information from. Not blogs. And Clinton is smart to have aligned with the right media personas in the MSM. Give her credit, where it is due.

You should help Hillary's campaign in other ways. Fundraise, phone bank, help in the office, etc. I know there is something you can do. The Clinton folk here are nice, like them.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:45:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Nope. I don't do that stuff.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:51:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

Really shocking that the McClurkin thing wouldn't be big news in Iowa, as it really touches on all the local demographics.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:15:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

That's funny. I do here about it around here (right outside of NH). Of course we take gay rights pretty seriously around here.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:17:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

It is not being played out here. And I think it would be a larger issue in NH, outside of a large city Boston. But it is not. This is a different state. Heartland. Family. That kind of thing. It is just not playing here and people are not talking about it.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:20:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

I was just teasing. Obviously there's not a large black population in Iowa, nor much of an activist gay community.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:23:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

I know. I thought it was funny way to phrase it.

by bookgrl on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:26:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Go on, you're really in Iowa? (none / 0)

u got me....lol...

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:37:46 PM EST
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Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Thanks for the firsthand report. Of course everyone is nice, it's the Midwest!

I sure hope the DSCC and DCCC get the message at some point that hey, the war is still issue #1 out there. We had to drag them kicking and screaming to run on the war in 2006.

I like hearing that people are skeptical of Hillary because of her war vote, not because I think she's a warmonger, but simply because the 2004 election made me wonder if there's such a thing as accountability in this country. Now, maybe it turns out that it's a concept only Democrats believe in.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:21:08 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

The ones we spoke with are questioning this.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:30:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yeah same questions as above (none / 0)

What area of Iowa did you canvass? A few weeks ago I canvassed in Dubuque, and most voters were either Undecided or Edwards supporters, with a few steadfast Clinton supporters... Most of the voters "Undecided" voters, if they did mention a preference of the 3, said it was between Edwards/Obama. A lot of these people either A. Won't Caucus or B. Will be out of town, so you never know exactly how this will turn out.

by KainIIIC on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:27:23 PM EST

Re: Yeah same questions as above (none / 0)

I am familiar with Dubuque. Went to Loras College.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:29:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

that is encouraging, since (none / 0)

Kerry kicked Edwards' butt in Dubuque last time around. It was certainly not an Edwards stronghold.

I would imagine the emphasize on social justice issues and health care are a big plus for Edwards, particularly in that part of the state.

John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."

by desmoinesdem on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 11:28:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Thanks for the on the ground report. It's great to hear from people who are really out there talking to voters, and your report was informative and fair.

It seems that recently your feelings about the various candidates have been changing. Please write a diary about it so we can learn more!

by LakersFan on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:47:19 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

I will. Thinking things through. I will be home Sunday, so next week, I think I will write something up.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:48:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Looking forward to it.

by LakersFan on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 07:50:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

good diary, we need more of them and less Are you ready type shit.

Obama! because 51% isn't enough!

by nevadadem on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:09:25 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

First of all, thanks for a great and fair diary iamready.

I canvassed also in Iowa, for Hillary. I went to Dubuque in May and to a small farm community in August where I stayed with friends who have a farm there. I loved going from door to door - I never met one person who was unfriendly. Not one. A few "indifferent" sorts - but they were polite as they gently closed the door in my face. LOL

It is a wonderful experience. Whether you door canvass or sit in the campaign office and do phone-banking or clerical duties. High vibe. And any one can do it and will be welcomed - for all the candidates.

by samueldem on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:45:47 PM EST

Re: Thoughts from the ground... (none / 0)

Agreed. The people here are nicest and friendliest I have met in a while. I know you canvassed in May, but how was it? The scope to me is changing. As indicated, above. IMO.

by iamready on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 08:50:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

regarding the Hillary yard signs (none / 0)

I have noticed in my precinct that there are undecided voters in households with Hillary yard signs. In fact, today I was talking with a woman who has a Hillary sign in her yard, and she's interested enough in Edwards to possibly come to a house party I'm having next week.

My field organizer says that when they are out canvassing they always stop at houses with Hillary signs, because they have found many non-supporters of Hillary in those homes too.

Strange.

John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."

by desmoinesdem on Tue Oct 30, 2007 at 11:26:55 PM EST

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