Dubuque Diary – Day Three

Thanks to my far reaching wireless net connection from across the street, I was up late (2am, that’s 3am EST time) getting a bit of work done. Breakfast today continues my taste test of the various granola-type breakfast bars I picked up the other night. I found the Banana Power Bar to be slightly more satisfying than yesterdays Oatmeal Crisp bar. One more tomorrow, then maybe Monday I’ll reward my work with a REAL breakfast.

I get myself together and equip my bag with the stuff I think I’ll need today; clipboard, pen, etc… and step across the street for the stuff I KNOW I’ll need today, a large coffee. The sidewalks are again a bit treacherous with icy spots, and I pause on my way down Main St. to admire Dubuque’s historic clock tower.

At the campaign headquarters, I head downstairs and join a training for volunteers that was already underway. We learn the basics of staying friendly while learning the information we’re seeking, ‘Are you going to caucus on Monday?’ and ‘Who do you support?’ We got divided up into groups, given our precient packets, filled our bags with door hangers, literature, and bumperstickers, and set out to find our neighboorhoods.

I’m partnered with Rick, a volunteer who has come here from Oregon. We quickly find our neighboorhood and divvy up the streets to start our canvass. I approached my first door with some apprehension. Will these poor people, who’ve be deluged by direct mail and phone calls from seven campaigns, welcome yet another knock on the door? Will they ask me questions I can’t answer? Will I really be doing any good here? Knock knock… no answer. Knock knock. Leave a door hanger. Whew… that was easy.

Although many people aren’t home, the door hanger I leave behind will let them know a Dean supporter had been there and encourages them to go to the caucuses on Monday night. Besides those that aren’t home, there’s another group of people that just expresses disinterest. They haven’t ever caucused and they’re not about to start now. It’s hard to imagine living here and not participating in the important early role Iowa plays in launching every campaign for President, but not everyone is ready. One lady angrily tells me, “I have almost a year before I need to decide who to vote for”, disregarding the fact that she’s leaving it to others to whittle that choice down for her.

But by far, among the knocks that are answered, the individual is welcoming and willing to listen. Many haven’t caucused but say they might, others say they will but that they don’t know for who yet, and some say they’ve made up their mind but they’ll still take and read our literature. With each door that is answered by someone like this, it’s even easier to move onto the next one. Rick and I finished our precient in about three and a half hours. I had mentioned my wireless Internet cafe to him when I saw the iBook in his car, and he was eager to make that our lunch stop, which it was. Over my sandwich, I enjoyed carrying on several IM chats with friend, sending them greetings from Dubuque.

Back to the hotel to regroup, I took an unplanned nap. Today’s walking has caught up with me, and at my age, sometimes naps just happen.

I headed back to campaign HQ and spent an hour re-organizing the walks lists that didn’t get completed today. I don’t know yet if I’ll go out again tonight and find where my fellow storm troopers are unwinding or if I’m in for the night. Too soon to say, stay tuned 🙂