A Dollar And A Dream

Notes From Ground Zero, The Countdown Begins

In exactly one week the polls on the east coast of America will be getting ready to close. Outside our living room - and away from the election news on the television - it can be easy to forget that the election is right around the corner.

Gorgeous red, yellow and orange trees drop their leaves and houses hide behind extravagant Halloween decorations. And today there was a torrential rain and 50 mile per hour winds. Some parts of the state was covered in 8 inches of snow - this kind of unseasonable weather apparently only happens once every 15 years. This can only be a good omen.

And just today I realised that quite another big event involving Pennsylvania is underway - the Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series, needing only one more win to take the series. I've been so taken by politics I've completely missed out on all these excited Phillies fans just under my nose.

My father has been receiving about 3 of what he calls 'robo-calls' per day. Automated messages from both campaigns trying to win his vote.

While I was out this afternoon a call came through announcing a Bill Clinton Rally tomorrow afternoon in Harrisburg.

With 21 electoral votes up for grabs, it's 'Ground Zero' here in Pennsylvania. As one local newscaster put it, the road to Pennsylvania Avenue is through Pennsylvania.

I am still drying out from this morning's John McCain Rally in Hershey and am still uploading audio and visuals from this morning.

A huge thank you to my brother Jordan who drove me to the Rally this morning and acted as my recording assistant (so hopefully better sound levels from this point forward!) as we tried to pull a few McCain supporters aside to get their thoughts. What most people seem to be talking about is wealth redistribution and taxes. I'm curious if anyone out there has any thoughts on this.

Afterwards Jordan and I went to a cafe and treated ourselves to coffee, eggs and pumpkin pancakes!

Today's Rally

It's nearly 7 in the morning in Pennsylvania. It's pitch dark and raining. But I am waiting for a ride to a John McCain rally in Hershey. Each day Pennsylvania is becoming more important in the election and my brother and I are going to see what this McCain rally is all about.

It seems McCain is pouring every last resource he has into my home state because he believes he still has a chance here.

I am surprised at the number of 'undecided' voters I find in Pennsylvania. We are trying to change their minds, first for Obama, and failing that, to at least get out and vote!

A lot of people have expressed disappointment at their choice of candidates this election year, my father included.

I'm hoping at today's rally I will be able to interview both McCain and Obama supporters. I want to ask people how much they will think of America's foreign policy when they pull the curtain of their voting booth. So far no one has mentioned it as an issue important to them. And yet, around the world I suspect this is what is piquing most non-Americans' interest.

My father thinks that with the economy as it is, not many Americans are thinking beyond their borders. They are more concerned about whether they can keep their house, fill their gas tank and put food on their table. This certainly is not the image of a world superpower, the land of big houses, big cars and big plates.

Has anyone had trouble listening to the audio on the website?

If you have, could you please email me and tell me how you've managed to resolve your problem as I've received a few comments from people who've said they cannot even see the audio links!