McCain Volunteers Finally Roused In Northern Virginia

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Saturday afternoon John McCain dropped into the McCain-Palin field office here and gave what will surely go down in history as the briefest pep talk ever delivered to troops on edge. (Earlier in the day a McCain aide let slip that "We're not doing well.")

Before McCain dropped in, I was taking a few exterior photos of the field or "victory" office when a woman wearing a dark blue Security uniform walked over and declared, "You can't take pictures here, it's a public building."

"Sure I can, it's a public building," I said, and with that she turned and walked away. (Good news, Star Wars fans: the Obe-Wan Kenobi telepathy trick really works.)

The McCain-Palin office in Arlington is located on the ground floor of a high-rise building in a neighborhood known as Crystal City. I peered inside the huge glass windows and saw something totally unexpected: rows and rows of people on phone banks. Dozens of people. It was completely unlike the other McCain victory offices I have visited, where just five or six people were working the phones. This looked like a scene straight out of The Front Page. I aimed my Nikon at the window when suddenly the image inside the lens went blank. Looking up, I glimpsed a young man running from window to window, closing all the shades. Why? What didn't he want me to photograph?

Ten minutes later, an amiable Secret Service agent said to me, "We're securing the area, so I'm afraid you'll have to move."

I extended my hand and said as winningly as possible, "Hi, I'm Diane Tucker. I write for Huffington Post."

With a wide grin he said, "Okay, you can stand near that pole, but don't poke me with an umbrella." As I stood in the crisp night air pondering which of my colleagues had poked a Secret Service agent with an umbrella, McCain dashed into the victory office, said a few words, then left with his motorcade. The whole shebang took about three minutes. Wham, bam, thank you... well, you know.

Maybe McCain wished he could have hung in there a little longer, but in fairness he had spent most of the afternoon in Woodbridge, Va., speaking at an outdoor rally. That crowd was estimated at fewer than 10,000 people. According to recent polls, the candidate's prospects for winning Virginia are slipping away. What's more, his strategy for the state was beginning to be questioned by some of his aides. "I hate that we did that Robo Call thing," a young McCain staffer told me on Saturday. "I don't think automated phone calls work."

Virginia Volunteers Kick It Up A Notch

Bloggers had one word for the activity level inside McCain-Palin offices in Virginia a week ago: "dead."

But this past weekend, offices in Loudoun, Fairfax and Arlington counties were humming with activity. Neighbors were stopping by for lawn signs, teenagers were being dropped off by their parents for two hours of volunteer work, Moms for McCain were working the phones. Families were everywhere. Surprisingly absent: people John McCain's age. The mood: resolute.

Last Friday, the Daily Kos drove to bellwether Loudoun County hoping to find the Sterling victory office but struck out because there was no signage on the building. The next day, you could see their big new sign from the highway. About 50 people canvassed door-to-door in Loudoun County on Saturday; another 50 went out on Sunday.

In equally prized Prince William County, more than 150 canvassers knocked on doors on Saturday according to officials at the Fairfax office, whose small reception area was jammed with volunteers. Along with the usual bumper stickers and door hangers, handouts included a blog on preventing African American genocide written by ret. Army General Jerry Curry, and an article by Dr. Alveda C. King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that explained why African Americans should vote for the Republican.

McCain-Palin volunteers said they are targeting both undecideds and the party faithful. "Everyone is working hard, with both groups," said volunteer Sally Atwater, wife of former Republican Party Chairman Lee Atwater, who passed away in 1991. Atwater was volunteering in the Arlington office, phoning Missouri supporters to attend a rally, and Colorado military vets to get out there and vote for John McCain.

OVERHEARD Inside The Northern Virginia Victory Offices:

"Obama wants to subsidize everything. It's scary."

"It's all about service, man. What has Obama ever done except vote for left-wing legislation?"

"John McCain understands national security and that's important, because things can turn on a dime."

"Do you want higher taxes? It's hard enough now to make mortgage and tuition payments."

"Utilities are twice as high today as they were six months ago. McCain will do something about it."

"I can't stand Obama's view on partial-birth abortion. It's disgusting."

"That stuff about Obama being a self-made man isn't true. His grandparents had money."

"Democrats have Congress. We need a Republican president to balance things out."

"Virginia is still in play."

Follow Diane Tucker on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dianetucker

Comments

[docgirl0425]

Greetings from Charlotte, NC! I have noticed an increase in McCain/Palin bumper stickers this week. Up to now I have seen slim to none for McCain, and tons for Obama. My favorite is: Another Mama for Obama. The one on the McCain/Palin bumper stickers reads "Nobama." They're desperate. I really think North Carolina is going to go for Barack "Steve" Obama. That's his middle name, right? I mean he said so at the Alfred E. Smith roast the other night! lol

BTW, I agree with GabrieleVH...the "public building" comment was sweet!

[Yellowroseheart]

To the person that made the comment that MLK and Coretta must be turning in their graves, please note that prior to President Kennedy, MLK and many others were Republicans. Dr. King changed parties when he was arrested and Coretta called Pres. Kennedy to assist in his release. Bobby was upset because he felt that John should not be involved in the Civil Rights movement as it would mean the end of their candidacy. Keep in mind that Dr. King was about equality for all people. Unfortunately, not all blacks are Democrats. Some are Republicans and I used to be one of them, until I became independent. Barack is a community organizer and thus has spearheaded a well oiled campaign. His plans to solidify his economic and his foreign policies so that we the citizens of the United States will see the restoration of greatness in this country once again are on his website. We are all Pro-American and despite what is being said otherwise we are all hoping for change, but I am hoping for change with Barack Obama. We will see our lives as never before and it is up to us to ensure that after the elections are over, after the swearing in has been held that we will continue to be about the change in this country now and always. It is not a here and now mentality but a forever change mentality..

[Krikkit]

I can clear up the "don't poke me with an umbrella" quip from the security guy. It's a reference to an assassination, real "spy" stuff, and the only time that deadly ricin was ever actually used to kill someone. A pellet of ricin was injected under the skin and an umbrella poke was the delivery device.

This story is bizarre, but true. It happened in 1978 The victim was Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, a defector working for the BBC in London. He died four days after the attack and his killer was never captured.

So this was a reference to both terrorism and spying. I take it the guard didn't trust your motives for being there.

[GabrielVH]

- "you can't take pictures here, it's a public building."

- "sure i can, it's a public building."

that will go down in history as the best exchange of words ever written on a website.

[streetkid5]

MLK and Coretta must be spinning in their graves at his niece's blather.

[smkyle1]

Apparently, McCain campaign insiders lost hope a while back. According to some reports, many felt choosing Palin was a big mistake and they didn't have a lot of confidence in her. According to this report, they had their fingers crossed for the V.P. debate and considered it a coup if she didn't belch on camera.

http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/27/the-morning-after-the-night-before%e2%80%99s-debate/

[Akacia]

How quickly the election air turns, some the contituencies liked having the pursuit of happiness more than its realization and that will always always remain a problem for middle class America, but anyway who defines happiness, them or us?

[BeltwayBette]

Joint House Subcommittee Hearing -- Election Preparation: II

Brian O'Leary, Iraq vet, -- votes of miitary on front lines are discounted because: absentee ballots are not received in time; and when returned are *** challenged/rejected for partisan political reasons. ** O'Leary said, "This is shameless."

Mr. O'Leary says the whote voting system does not work for those on the front lines -- andbalmes DOD

O'Leary said, 'A bill on the Senate side to help our military vote did not get the votes to pass." WHO DID NOT VOTE FOR THIS BILL?

James Terry, spokesman for a group calling itself Consumer Rights League, claimed "ACORN has a ten year history of embezzlement, voter fraud and "systemic abuse' " tries to stir up mass support and falls on his pattootie. My take on him: a McCain rep trying to ambush ACORN in order to disenfranchise minority voters who will most likely vote for Obama.
Questioned, the DOJ's Acting Asst Attorney General Grace Chung Becker said only one indictment has ever been had against a former worker of ACORN -- who cheated ACORN.

Who is the Consumers Rights League? How long have they been in existence?How are they funded?

Said at Hearing: There will be more minority voters in this election than ever before in our history.

Also present was Jim Jordan Ohio R who tied himself in verbal knots trying to justify overruling his states' attorney general's ruling to refuse the Republican's voter game plan in her state.

Sorry, this writer got

[Indubio]

Wow they had 50 canvassers on a Saturday and SUnday. Our local Congressman had has approximately 80 per weekend day. Obama has more canvassers in my county on weekends and California isn't really in play.

[Grannysue]

So did they just put their campaign offices in REAL AMERICAN, and REAL PATRIOTIC cities and forget about the cities and towns, that aren't?????

[wembakoy]

Please share this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2kjgdF1Xk&NR=1

It is very important especially in the last week of election. Don't be fooled and think that this election will be a slum dunk. We need to work really hard for Obama-Biden.

Thanks

[tydicea]

Let's not forget his foot soldier's going door to door telling people that Obama has terrorist ties, and would be an unsuitable commander in chief.

[IcedTee63]

You know, I had hoped that the John McCain circa 2000 had been running for the Presidency against Senator Obama, because no matter who won the Election, the American People were going to be the real winners. Unfortunately, the fear of possibly not winning consumed a decent man and he added a Rick Davis, a Steve Schmit and a Sarah Palin to his voice to change the direction of his campaign from one that unites into one that divides and finally he threw in a few nasty character insults about his opponent and you have "The New John McCain". This shell of a man is not the "Straight Shooter" he once claimed to be. It's actually very sad, I really liked the Original John McCain....

[NeldaDee]

Here, here.

[HHarvey]

I really liked the old John McCain too, but after doing some research and reading some thorough articles on the man I have to wonder if we really knew him at all. His true colors have shown themselves to be what they always were and republicans are quietly saying this behind closed doors.

[rich misty]

The way I understand it is you must make 50 verified phone contacts on their system (they monitor the calls) in order to qualify for tickets to a Palin event.

[rockethound]

I'd like to know more about the report in The Charlotte Gazette in West Virginia which says the voting machines are switching votes from Obama to McCain and that Republicans in both counties are responsible for overseeing the elections. Read the story http://wvgazette.com/News/200810180251.
Is the GOP so desperate that it wants to steal the election again?

[longlived]

Yes they are that desperate and that scares the life out of me. The republicans are trying to stifle votes with the Acorn suit and now this. Is there a decent bone in the republican party. I truly believe the republican machine will stop at nothing to win this election and then stand back and say we knew people would support mccain for president.

[BobWalter]

I hope they get to the bottom of it and fix it fast. Voter fraud, or even just faulty voting machines, is bad for all Americans Democrats, Republicans and others. A fair and proper vote is vital for democracy.

[streetkid5]

This just feeds the same paranoia that we went through twice with GWB. The ACORN mess is the result of a relative handful of renegades overreacting to these kinds of GOP shenanigans. The worst case scenario: McCain's motorcade on Inauguration Day being pelted with debris and garbage, like the urban legend about W in 2001.