Bus Canvas

September 28, 2010

I had some help today campaigning with the bus. Chris drove today giving me opportunity to greet voters directly. Nadine took some time to join me on the campaign trail tonight; I especially enjoyed her company. Mona was helping Greg Sloat (candidate for Anoka County Commissioner) on campaign activities, and she joined us later in the evening.

We traveled around areas of Fridley and Columbia Heights where voters are registered Democrats. I met many "Independents," more like soft Democrats who are looking at our campaign and seriously considering a vote for Tim Utz. This group of voters who previously voted Democrat will widen the margin of victory in November. Many are disenfranchised union members who
place little credibility on union endorsement this year. Being a union member I continue to create credibility with this population of voters.

I noticed one home having Ellison, Dayton and Laine yard signs and the owners were standing in their driveway. I walked up and introduced myself, to which the homeowner said she supports Carolyn Laine. I said that is your privilege, but we are still neighbors in this district, and we are Minnesotans and I came to greet you. Shocked, she accepted my business card shook my hand and we parted as acquaintances.

As we passed another home, we noticed in addition to Ellison, Dayton, and Laine yard signs, a Goodwin sign and a couple local Democratic candidate signs. I noticed an elderly woman looking at our bus and me from her living room picture window. I waved to her and to my shock she gave me the middle finger salute while shaking her hand across the window. Being a Constitutional candidate for office I find this violent attitude perplexing. She has no idea who I am except that I am a Republican and what others have told her, yet she wishes me ill.