I need you to vote today. I’m in Florida, hitting my fifth night on the fold-out sofa of a great friend. Tomorrow I’ll put on a blue hat that says VOTING RIGHTS ATTORNEY and take my place at 6:45 a.m. at a precinct in Gadsden County.
I need you to vote today.
Saturday we learned the structure of the astoundingly large voter protection effort and made our way through the County, feeling out Quincy and shaking hands in Chatahoochee. Sunday we flyered hundreds of cars at churches, and then went door to door, reminding people to vote, telling them we could provide them with a ride if needed.
They didn’t; folks have already voted. There’s no undecideds in this part of the world.
I was proud to go knocking with a friend I’ve had for fifteen years and a new one, Ed, a Korean War veteran who pinned his VETERANS FOR OBAMA button on and slapped a campaign sticker on his AIRBORNE 87TH cap. I wore a BELIEVERS FOR BARACK sticker on my Alabama primary shirt. Jp!, because he’s jp!, wore a Tulane shirt and hat, although he’s worn Barack the rest of the time; contrary.
Last night the Drive-By Truckers played “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World” in Tallahassee, and sang “vote for a change.” The crowd roared.
I need you to vote because yesterday a woman grabbed my arm and said “God bless you” when I knocked on her door and asked if she’d voted.
I need you to vote because an eight-year old playing basketball in his yard said his family had already all voted for Obama, and that they’d all gone to vote together, as a family, the first day of early voting.
I need you to vote because a woman from Dothan, Alabama hugged my neck when she met me, because we came from Mississippi.
I need you to vote because the kid at the register at McDonald’s shook my hand when he saw my free MoveOn Obama button.
I need you to vote because there is a growing family out there of Americans, people who don’t know each other but who are bound together by a need for Change; by a desire for a better world. Yes, a world where we are not only judged on what’s in our hearts, not the color of our skin, but also one where everybody has a shot at raising a family, going to college, having a home.
I need you to vote because We the People, in order to create a more perfect Union.
I need you to vote because We hold these Truths to be self-evident.
I need you to vote because I have a Dream.
I need you to vote because Yes We Can.
I need you to vote because there are no red states, and no blue states, but the United States of America.
From Leon County, Florida
Gorjus, esq.
Tags: Barack Obama, Florida, Yes We Can
I voted several weeks ago. All but two counties in Washington vote by mail. I don’t live in one of those two counties.
I voted for Obama because for the first time in 38 years I was able to vote for a candidate that I believe in—as opposed to voting against someone. We need a change. I am ready to move on and start over. I do have hope.
Yes We Can.
Amen! Great post. We are going to win this not only because of Barack Obama’s all-around awesomeness, but because of volunteers like you. Thanks for all you are doing. Yes we can!
I am so proud of you … & headed out to the polls in just a minute!
Dude, this is an awesome post! Hang in there and keep up the fight.
Heck yeah! There was a big and very Blue crowd in Saint Gabriel this morning—I don’t know that we can take LA, but I’d sure love for us to make it close.
Great way to cap off a long day and beginning of a good night…
Fired Up!
I forgot what is perhaps my favorite:
Because in the unlikely story that is America, there’s never been anything false about hope.
GO OHIO!! We’re proud of you! AND COME ON FLORIDA!
Thanks so much for all your work, Gorjus!
It’s absolutely paid off!
Former Memphissippian sends love from Travis County, Texas.
He didn’t add that we found people shuffling out extra seals for election boxes. the kind that you use when you tamper with and stuff a box then cover your tracks. He didn’t add that we made sure a small section of blue appeared in North Florida. Three counties in the blood red. He didn’t add that he helped me feel proud to work for voter rights in 2 states at the same time instead of one. He didn’t add that he helped make a lot of us cry and smile tuesday night. He didn’t add that he was in no position to take time and money out of his life to do this project for Florida and Obama and for America. He didn’t add that I was as proud of him as I’ve been in my memory.
I’ll add that.
I only get over to this site rarely, so I’m behind the times. gorjus, this post brought tears to my eyes. Seeing into the lives of others, stepping up to their beliefs, their hopes, that is a service to our country, our society, even bigger than the very real voter protection you provided. I am so proud to know you & jp!
ps Harris Co, TX is BLUE!!