Victory in Florida!

I received the following email today from my friend Mike C. (he's the one next to me in the October 24th picture from the Panama City Beach dive trip). When the rest of us came back after diving last week, he stayed behind and met his wife in Tallahassee for a week of public service - taking elderly voters to the polls for early balloting. I found his report to be inspirational in both its message of cooperation and harmony, and also because it indicates that Kerry is leading in Florida!

Now, get out and vote tomorrow!

From: Mike C.
Sent: Mon 11/1/2004 1:11 PM
Subject: Florida Road Trip to Victory

Friends & Colleagues - Well, we made it back from our "Road Trip to Victory" to Florida in one piece! 1246 miles and 20 hours in the car with our 21 month old daughter, a week’s lost pay and 12 to 18 hour days…(win or lose) it was all worth it! Thank you to all who supported our efforts.

First, I have to say I met some amazing people from all over the country. DNC Volunteers came in from California, Iowa, South Dakota, New York, and Washington, DC, in addition to a huge contingent of volunteers from Florida. We all worked very hard to “Get out the Vote” and judging by the latest poll numbers, we were successful. 56% of the early voters cast Sen. Kerry votes, while 36% cast votes for President Bush. The breakfast rally we attended on Wednesday with actress Kirsten Dunst (I was her “Bodyguard” for the morning), John’s sister, Diane Kerry (picture attached), Carol Browner (former head of EPA), General Pat Foote (the highest ranking retired female General in the U.S. Army) and Congresswomen Eddie Johnson and Louise Slaughter, among others, was both very motivating and a lot of fun. They all appeared as part of “Women on the Move!” on a bus tour through Florida that was very well received.

This was my first experience of this kind. I spent the week doing everything from coordinating rides to the polls for the elderly and handicapped, to stuffing canvassing flyers, fielding calls about voter legal rights, putting together yard signs, and handing out voter information cards. The vast majority of people I met were incredibly supportive, kind and appreciative of our efforts even if they disagreed with the message. When I was canvassing in several neighborhoods in Lee County with Maude (a 78 year old retired woman from Ohio), strangers invited me into their homes for a drink of water or cup of coffee wanting to say “thank you”, and ask what they can do to help out.

Now, the bad news – the hate speech and vitriol that is filling the airwaves in Florida is disturbing. I am told that similar advertisements are airing in all “swing states.” Although much of advertising was not sanctioned by the Bush/Chaney campaign, the majority of this seemed to be coming from Bush supporters. Nevertheless, the “Vote for Us or Die” approach, in my view, is just not appropriate. What was worse, however, are the escalating acts of vandalism and violence. Stealing yard signs is a criminal offense in most states. It is a misdemeanor in Florida (and Georgia) and is a dumb thing to do. FYI - Our yard sign lasted less than 24 hours. We all have a first amendment right to speak, and such acts breed fear and suspicion among neighbors. The other issue with stealing yard signs is that it escalates into other acts of vandalism and violence. We saw this in Florida and it was scary. A fight actually broke out in a synagogue! Perhaps the most disturbing incident that happened, however, was that one of the vans we were using to take elderly and handicapped voters to cast early votes had its tires slashed one night. The local, national and international press picked up the story and I actually received a call from a guy who received an email from his friend in Italy wanting to know if we needed help paying for new tires. Go figure.

A couple of closing thoughts. 1. Vote. It is your right and duty as a U.S. citizen. Our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guard are fighting (and dying) to give other people the right to vote. We honor them when we exercise our right to participate in our democracy. Don’t take it for granted. 2. Take someone to vote with you, especially elderly folks and others that have trouble getting around. 3. Offer to watch someone’s kids, so they can make it to the polls. 4. While a spirited debate is essential for Democracy, respect your neighbors even where they disagree with your political views. 5. Be courteous to your neighbors and poll workers, and be patient because long lines and waits are anticipated. Tonight I am taking off my “Kerry/Edwards” pin and will be working as a non-partisan “Election Protection Volunteer” with thousands of other volunteer lawyers from around the U.S. Lawyers are sworn to uphold the Constitution, not unlike elected officials and the military.

Final thought - Remember the way you felt on the morning of September 12th, 2001 when you wake up on November 3, 2004. There were no Democrats or Republicans, just Americans coming together.

Mike