A Dollar And A Dream

Three More Days

Only 3 1/2 more full days before the election and both campaigns are planning to work up until the closing of polls on Tuesday.

Film and Election Update

Here in Cincinnati Malcolm and I are well into our filming of his experience as a British political activist doing ‘Get Out The Vote’ work in Ohio.

As I type I am uploading the 3 hours of footage we shot yesterday.

One of the biggest pieces of American news aside from each campaign's latest strategy is the slow down of the US economy this last quarter. You wouldn’t have known it though at the 'Hollywood Creations' store yesterday morning in Cincinnati where Malcolm and I hunted for Halloween Costumes for the evening's 'Trick or Vote' event.

Malcolm bought a stars and stripes top hat as well as a Bill Clinton mask and I walked away with a Statue of Liberty costume of which there are pictures on somebody’s camera, somewhere.

We went door to door with Malcolm’s friend Lewis, another British politico, asking people to make sure they get out to the polls on Tuesday. It was a non partisan event which meant it was simply about stressing the importance of voting versus one candidate’s politics over the other.

I was surprised at how many people had already voted. And how only a few commented on Malcolm and Lewis’s British accent. Maybe some thought it was a part of their costume. Most people were excited to see the Bill mask, one man yelling out 'We Miss You, Bill' as he closed his door. We subsisted on chocolate, pizza and alcohol last night and I am still recovering. Cincinnati really puts on a spectacular Halloween and I had forgot how Americans go all out. Perhaps the best costume among our crowd was a Diebold voting machine where if you voted for a Tootsie Roll a hand came through the silver box and delivered a Dum-Dum, and vice-versa. Again, there's a picture on someone's camera, somewhere!

Before the 'Trick or Vote' event we attended a Hillary Clinton Rally at the Letter Carrier’s Hall in Cincinnati. The crowd was fired up as there was talk of America being so close to realizing Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and I found Hillary’s speech more inspiring than Bill’s in Harrisburg on Wednesday.

There was a small minority at the Rally who were wearing ‘Hillary For President’ t-shirts and after the rally, we witnessed one woman yelling out from her car window as she was stuck in the post-Rally traffic. She was apparently still upset that Hillary was not on the Democratic ticket.

One man across the street who at first was lending this woman his ear finally shook his head and drove away in frustration, ‘I don’t really have time for this.’ He had been trying to push Obama and she just wouldn't have it. It was the closet I had come to an election fight yet.

I juggled a still camera, a video camera and a digital audio recorder at the Rally and sometime after Hillary began speaking I decided to press record to see if I could capture the moment.

Today Malcolm plans on doing some canvassing and tomorrow there’s word of an Obama Rally in Columbus, and some say Cincinnati!

Car Update

For those of you wondering what happened to the ‘Spirit of America’ car after it wouldn’t start yesterday morning, the problem boiled down to fuel-injection cars and my lack of experience with them.

After a kind man arrived in a big red truck and charged the battery, I told him about how the car sputtered yesterday when I turned over the key after stopping for 10 minutes at the petrol station. It took three revs of the engine to get the car going.

He started to suspect the cause of the problem was something other than the battery.

‘Do you press down on the gas pedal when you start the engine?’

I gave an enthusiastic yes.

‘You’re not supposed to do that.’

I had no idea.

‘It’s okay, lots of people don't know.'

He was trying to make me feel less bad about my ignorance.

'The car's fuel-injected. You don't need to pump the gas pedal. You probably flooded the engine.'

‘This must be a new thing,’ wondering how I could have missed out on this particular driving lesson.

‘Um…since about the 80s.’

The 80s?! There really was no excuse.

We both started laughing. And I can hear you laughing too.

‘Have a good one,’ he said while climbing back into his big red truck.

Blog Update

Be sure to check out the sidebar of the blog for more related material.

The Sprit of America

Everything about this trip seemed to be aligning perfectly.

A few days before I arrived in Pennsylvania John McCain decided he wanted to go after the state, putting  the Obama campaign in a defensive position. Since 1988 Pennsylvania has voted Democrat in the presidential elections. This meant that there were political rallies and events almost every day I was there.

On the drive from Harrisburg, PA to Cincinnati, OH yesterday I tuned into a strong National Public Radio signal which was my salve for my separation from television election coverage.  (I found this story particularly interesting - about a couple in their 30s who are organic farmers in Missouri) NPR is a great source of news and if you are outside the States you can listen to it from the website.

NPR kept me up-to-date about the election. Turns out that as I was driving to Ohio, McCain was also there, beginning a 2 day tour on his 'Straight Talk Express' bus starting off in a town called Defiance.

Apparently the Clintons are here too.  Downstairs in the hotel lobby this morning a Union worker from Cleveland who is here volunteering with the Obama campaign, told me that there is a Hillary Rally at 3:30 this afternoon.

I say everything was working perfectly because last night I realised that my mobile/cell phone has no coverage in Cincinnati. So I have been phone-less since then.

And this morning on my way to Prestige Audio to pick up a radio/wireless microphone for the camera, the car would not start. But there is a silver lining in every situation as now I have time to update the blog!

The rental car is from Massachusetts and the slogan on the plates is 'The Spirit of America' .  A perfect slogan for this time of year and perhaps this project. Which is why the car has got to get back in working order!

I drove through 4 states yesterday - Pennsylvania, West Virginia (well, only for 15 minutes), Ohio and then Kentucky, to pick up Malcolm from the Cincinnati airport. You can move so easily across borders in the States that it's easy to forget every state has its own laws - everything from driving laws to election laws are different.

For instance only some states allow early voting, and those that do have different deadlines. Illinois has really pushed early voting in their state because they anticipate a large turnout being Obama's homebase. NPR reported yesterday that 30% of voters in Illinois are expected to vote early.

Why early voting?

There's an unprecedented voter turnout expected for this election. And because Election Day is always on the first Tuesday of November, there are usually big crowds before work, at lunchtime and after work.

Even at the early voting polls big lines/queues have been reported. On NPR yesterday one woman spoke of having to hire a babysitter so she could go to the polls to vote.

There must be Americans out there who plan to go to the polls on Election Day but won't because of these small logistical hiccups. Things like not being able to find a babysitter, having a car that won't start, not having money for a taxi, etc.

Election Day should be a national holiday and Americans should be allowed to take time away from work without penalty to go to the polls.

Click here to read what Wikipedia has to say about Election Day in the U.S. and why and how it was chosen

I kept a road journal on my 8 hour drive to Cincinnati yesterday which I hope to post later this afternoon.

One last thing - when I picked Malcolm up at the airport yesterday he said he had heard mixed reviews about Cincinnati. We both were curious to find out what kind of city it was. 

Which is why I was a bit concerned this morning when I spotted a bird on the way to the store to buy milk.

But after snapping the photograph I realised it was Halloween and that the people probably don't normally walk around in costumes.

Happy Halloween everyone! Malcolm and I will be participating in a Trick or Vote event this evening.

Thank you to Carlos for telling me about another website- If The World Could Vote  where people around the world are getting involved in the American election.

Bill The Capital Trailways Busdriver

This was Harrisburg, PA's antidote to 'Joe The Plumber' at the Bill Clinton Rally for Obama.

Bill Clinton Takes The Stage in Harrisburg

His brief speech spoke of the economy and America's standing in the world as the two most important issues of this election.

Farewell PA

Today is Thursday 30 October and only 5 days remain before Election Day!

Sadly this morning I leave my home state and the state which continues to be a 'battleground' in this year's election to make the 8 hour drive to Cincinnati, Ohio where I will meet up with Malcolm, a British political activist.

This is because only 1 day remains before my blogging takes a back seat to filming.

I came to America one week ago to make a documentary film about the election through the eyes of a non-American who is interested and involved and has travelled from London to 'Get Out The Vote' for Obama. I spent this week getting my feet wet by having conversations with people on my travels from Newark to Queens to Long Island to Pennsylvania.

Now the real work begins.

So farewell Keystone state, and thank you to all of the people I've met out on the street who were willing to share their political opinions for the sake of this project.

And a big thank you to my family who has tolerated a very distracted visitor these past few days.

***************

So many people right now are obsessed with the polls.

Electoral Projections Done Right

But yesterday at the Bill Clinton Rally, one of the Pennsylvania dignitaries tasked to warm up the crowd said something that really stuck with me - Polls don't vote, people do!

So make sure you and your friends turn up at the polls on Election Day. And if you are not American, make sure you put pressure on all those you know!

An unprecedented voter turnout is expected so why don't you see if you can vote early?

About this time before elections there is usually talk of voter fraud. And unfortunately it's no different this year. But Video The Vote is an interesting organisation which has popped up to try and prevent this.

If you have some time available on Election Day, why not sign up to volunteer?

Video The Vote

Make sure to check out the photographs, videos and interviews I collected at the Bill Clinton Rally yesterday in the right hand column of this blog before you sign off. 

Until Cincinnati...

Cross Cultural Understanding

Ever since watching the 1960 documentary Primary about the Primary election between JFK and Hubert Humphrey I have thought about making an election documentary.

And this year seemed like the time to do it.

As an American living in London what interested me most was the amount of non-Americans I kept running into who were active and engaged in this presidential race.

When I began this blog a few weeks ago I really wanted it to be a place where Britons could come to find out what Americans on the ground were thinking and feeling, and where Americans could come to find out what motivates foreign nationals to come to our shores and volunteer campaign.

What I'm realising is this election means as many things to as many people I ask. On the ground the economy has overshadowed issues like the war in Iraq and abortion. But for people abroad I suspect foreign policy is still the biggest concern.

I'm interested in hearing from more Americans and more non-Americans so please send me an email if you'd like your opinions to be featured on the blog.

Also most non-Americans I meet support Barack Obama. Are there any out there who support McCain?

In the meantime here are two more websites I've come across which may shine more light on America's place in the world.

Welcome Back America

The Sorry Everybody Project

For My Friends Abroad

This is my last day in Pennsylvania. On the agenda today is the Bill Clinton Rally and some practice driving. When I could not answer the question 'When was the last time you drove a car?', family and friends are now forcing me to get behind the wheel for some practice driving before pulling out onto the highway tomorrow morning for my solo 8 hour drive to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since arriving at my father and stepmother's house on Monday, I have watched more television than I have all year.

But it is hard to pull oneself away from the ongoing news as well as the political ads. I keep a notebook handy to jot down each candidates' claims so that when I go out on the street I am better prepared as to what is fresh in people's minds.

Which is why I am including the You Tube channels of both candidates so that my friends abroad can also be part of this very particular American election experience - campaign adverts!

John McCain's You Tube Channel

Barack Obama's You Tube Channel

Here is also an interesting editorial about media coverage of the election.

ABC Online News Editorial

For a report from the John McCain Rally yesterday, please see the John McCain Rally page on the right of the blog.

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!

Bumps On The Road, Literally

One of the first things I did yesterday was get out and take photographs of the election signs which litter people's front lawns in my mother's neighbourhood. It's a particularly good time to do so as Obama and McCain signs are often situated somewhere in the midst of elaborate Halloween decorations.

I was so involved in taking pictures that I ran into a low hanging, rogue tree branch. Despite a headache yesterday and a sensitive scalp today, the project is still moving ahead.

Here are some of the photographs. You can click on the thumbnails for a larger version of each image.

While in Steelton, my mother and I stumbled upon a satellite Obama office on Front Street, set up in an old bar, directly opposite the former Bethlehem Steel Mill.

The field manager told us that Pennsylvania is becoming a far more important state in Obama's campaign and they need all the volunteers they can get.

As an Obama supporter myself, I'd like to encourage anyone in the Harrisburg, PA area who has some extra time to go down to the main office at 401 North 2nd Street in Harrisburg. They are looking for volunteers through Election Day.

Here are more Obama PA details:
Pennsylvania Barack Obama website
Text PA to 62262 (Obama)
877-5PA-OBAMA (877-572-6226)

Although I support Obama and am encouraging others to do so as well, I am looking to collect a wide range of viewpoints for this blog along the way.