Obama Loyalists in Kentucky Full of Enthusiasm Despite Poll Numbers

The Lexington Herald-Leader headline blared that "McCain's Lead in State is Safe," but you wouldn't have known it from the bustle at Fayette County Democratic Headquarters. Volunteers had assembled two hundred new Obama-Biden signs on Thursday afternoon, and by 10 a.m. Friday they were flying out the door.

The phone rang continually:

"Do you have signs?"

"Where do I vote if I'll be away on Election Day?"

"Are the signs back in? Oh, GREAT! We'll be right there!"

"You know that morning radio show on WLAP? I called in and ripped the guy a new one - and I'm a Republican, you know? - and now he's picking on me - I gave him my name, Trish - you guys have to call and set them straight about Obama - he's calling me names and saying that Obama is a terrorist, a Weather Underground member, a Muslim - and he's trashing me!"

"Do you need help in the office?"

"Can I sign up to canvass?"

Trish came in the door, shaking off the rain. "Did you hear him? He was still going on about me when I parked here! He's saying 'people like Trish' - he's calling me a 'left-wing liberal fascist!' I'm not your usual Democrat, you know? I voted for Bush twice, but I can't stand it any more." She unloaded for a while, talking to a tall man in a black hat who was there to get an Obama-Biden yard sign and a "Ditch Mitch!" (Senator McConnell) sign. Eventually Trish calmed down a bit, took a yard sign and headed out.

Two office-mates came in to pick up signs. They were laughing with excitement. The man turned to his co-worker and said, "This is the first time in our new office that we have all been Democrats." Signing his name on the "Picked up yard sign" form he said, "Always before we've had one - one vile person!" They headed off into the rain to hunt down "Teamsters for Obama-Biden" signs, further down the street.

A woman came in to purchase 40 Obama-Biden yard signs for Pulaski County, a Republican heartland county two hours to the south. A woman came in to get four Obama-Biden signs for her family's front yards in Paris KY, a Bourbon County town where, "There's only McCain-Palin signs!"

Another call, from a tired-sounding man: "I'm in Trimble County and I'm wondering if you have any stickers or car magnets?" The reply was "No, sorry." He sighed. "We live on a dead-end road, you know? If we put out a yard sign only we and the postman would see it. Well, thanks," and he hung up.

An enthusiastic, dignified gal came in and got yard signs, saying that hers had vanished in the night (a common complaint). Turning to go she spotted the buttons and began to shriek, "Oh! Buttons! Oh! I am so happy!"

A quiet working man came in wearing a red Obama ballcap, and got buttons and yard signs for his family.

These are the highlights of a single two-hour period on Friday morning. While the Herald-Leader's new poll results indicate that "McCain holds a substantial lead over Democrat Barack Obama, 55 percent to 39 percent, with only 3 percent of voters still undecided" (www.kentucky.com), the multi-racial, high-energy enthusiasm at the Fayette County Democratic Headquarters tells a different story.

Comments

[HilaryLambert]

If elected, how could McCain hope to govern, in the face of such passionate devotion to his opponent, even in Kentucky? That deep-felt commitment is not going to fade away.

[politisophical]

best line of the campaign

"We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change."

- the hopemonger obama

[DonBPratt]

While excited about an Obama win, I am afraid of the probable truth that Kentucky will go McCain.
With a corrupt Democratic party, previously represented by many Dixiecrats of old, the Republicans have a strong foothold in a deeply racist state.
Another poll of why showed deep prejudice regarding race amongst Democrats as well.
Hillary has represented Fayette County well.
And I wish that enthusiasm led to statewide success!

[naschkatze]

These are brave people.

[zanzig]

Does anyone know any cartoonists who do a drawing of the backyard of McCain's 13 homes piled high with Obama yard signs? They've got to be going somewhere.

[hellinabucket]

My wish is that Obama wins in Kentucky in a landslide, turning the Bluegrass solid Blue. I believe this race will be closer than predicted. Keep up the good work!

[Freesia2]

My hope for Kentucky is for 2012.

Growing up there and knowing the political climate I doubt (though never say never! This year has been full of surprises.) that he can win the state in 2008. But I have high hopes that it will be a closer contest in Kentucky than expected, that they will indeed "ditch Mitch" and that with an Obama 2008 win, by 2012 re-election all the work and enthusiasm these great people are generating will pay off.

Whatever happens, I do have belief that the people there are planting something that will bear fruit in the next election. It really is the example of grass roots that Obama believes in. Or in this case - that would be "bluegrass" roots. :-)

[Mary1943]

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and the religious-right (former Dixiecrats) have had a strangel-hold on the politics in Kentucky for way too many years. It's time to "Ditch Mitch" and that will end that strangle-hold.