I read Volvo's diary the other day about the need for volunteers the last week of the campaign, and it seemed so urgent and the race has been so close I figured I'd drop in at Martin's HQ in Midtown and personally provide that extra spark needed for what may very well be seat #60 in the Senate...
As it turns out, I wasn't presented with a script and a long list of undecided female voters - I was put on reception desk duty
And they've been sending out these mailers on saying that Martin supports partial birth abortion (probably from a 527, because those always say CALL JIM MARTIN - and who would have thought they really would?). So as a result, the people you get who are motivated by an anti-abortion leaflet to send in a call are your hardline Republican voters who are probably voting for Saxby anyway - but I did get one old guy from Wrens who veered off into talking abouit out of control spending and barely coherent rage about the bailout - he started talking about Congressmen get voted out and make millions for lobbyists, and how he and his wife lived in Australia for so many years and their health care system is so much better than ours - it's so frustrating to hear a guy say all that and STILL not be convinced to vote for your guy because he's pro-life. To be fair he had a very tragic story about how his daughter offed herself after an abortion, so I can understand that personal connection.
We also got a call about the Fair Tax. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH how much a moran Chuck Schumer is for running that ad. Here's a guy who was going to vote for Martin and has been swayed by friendly fire on the sales tax, and is convinced that the 23% sales tax increase on groceries is "a flat out lie" (it sorta is, mos of those bills have an exception for food) - I told him that Jim does not stand behind the ad (true) and that I personally support the fair tax (i don't care much either way).
Right after that, there was a call from the BBC. Without getting too specific... Saxby Economics... is international!
All the 527 calls aren't from Republicans, though - we got one from a big time Democrat who gave us the headsup on some on offshore drilling mailer that said we'd lose "350 zillion energy jobs" or some other nonsense. I told her "Yeah, they'll lose jobs... in Saudia Arabia, maybe."
The hits keep coming, the volunteers keep coming in - I'm glad I got here early enough to get a cushy seat by the door and all that. I should also mention - Jim Martin has the greatest and most elaborate snack bar ever concieved by the mind of man. Seriously. There's Coke and Diet Coke and Cherry Coke and fun size EVERYTHING and chips and ... >_<</p>
I might update once or twice as the day progresses with pics and the like. I reeeeally wish I'd been at this from Day One instead of just donating every once in a while. For the snacks.
And also democracy and stuff like that.
UPDATE: So, I pick up the phone, and I'm like: "Martin For Senate."
And a very gentlemanly voice says "Who's this?"
And I tell him my name.
And in a very folksy way, he says "Well, AP, this is Jim Martin."
ZOMG, right? I told him it was an honor to meet him and all that, and he laughed in an aw shucks kinda way and asked to get forwarded to a certain staffer...and I did. How awesome.
Go volunteer!
UPDATE 2: PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION. I don't know what to do with these pro-life folks. Somebody called and said that they live 5 blocks from Saxby, that they HATE Saxby and would never vote for him, but now they can't vote for Jim because he's pro-life. I just bang away at that health of the mother stuff and hope it works out. :'(
UPDATE 3: I MET Jim, he just walked through the door and shook my hand. He knows working the phones is a hassle and was just so glad that I could take the time, etc. We talked for a second about the sleazy mailers - he told me he knew all about 'em. Just every bit the sweet southern-gentleman type.
Dudes. I am right outside Jim Martin's office listening to him do debate prep. Crazynuts. I'm gonna try to get a picture with the guy before he ships out - if I do I'll put it up, maybe do a photodiary tomorrow.
UPDATE 4: Got pictures with Jim AND his son Frank. I'll probably do a photodiary tomorrow. And later in the day got a lot of encouraging calls from South Georgia dems pissed off at this mailer. :D