A Single Southern Guy in America

February 06, 2004

I Want To Be A Part Of It...

Clearly, it is past time for an update considering the blog has gone devoid of entries again.

So, where, you ask, has your America trotting Southerner been deployed to extract votes from now? If the title has not registered to you yet, I have found myself on an island south of New Hampshire. No, Holly, I have not made it to the land of No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems yet, even though it looks like you are. Manhattan. Between 6th and Broadway. A block from Madison Square. While I am still not sure of where the heart of the city is, I am near some major organs for sure.

In the past week I have learned how to negotiate the subway system. This learning curve included an unfortunate trip to Queens when I was attempting to reach my boarding quarters in Brooklyn. In any event, the subways are not nearly so bad as I had heard tale of back home. (I probably just jinxed myself.)

What on earth you ask could a Southerner be doing of any effectiveness in such far environs? Well, given the modern technological marvels of phones, faxes, emails, internet, and so on, I have been hard at work influencing outcomes in other states as well as preparing the groundwork for the certain constituency I have been tasked to organize in both New Hampshire and New York. Additionally, thanks to the aforementioned technologies, I have been able to provide support for the organizers of the same constituency in states where other staffers have had to move past in advance of other states.

The nature of the constituency that I organize also allows the regional origin issue to be minimized and sometimes enhanced. As one of the members of this group on Long Island shared with me from his experience the other day, "Those Southern boys were always the best. They knew what to do and how to handle things."

Regardless, I have high level interaction with other parts of the New York campaign and I am continually fascinated with the different values of folks from states around the country. New York City folks being different from Upstate NY folks from Southern New Hampshire folks from North Country New Hampshire folks from Oklahoma Democrats from Tennessee Democrats and the list goes on and on and on...It has been quite the valuable exercise to brief our phone bankers on the mores of Southern Democratic voters when we call in support of other states' efforts.

For those of you wondering about the status of the campaign, I can assure you we are charging forward with the intent of still competing on Super Tuesday. That's why I am here. The new configuration of front loaded primaries has created an entirely new animal for presidential primary campaigns with new strategies being employed by different campaigns. In my heart, I believe the front loaded system will actually harm either party in that there will not be the opportunity to fully 'vet' (examine) their potential nominees. The media bends perceptions of voters before the candidates have an opportunity to introduce themselves. The importance of campaign fundraising is higher than ever-- a result that many would see as a bad thing.

I can tell you honestly, I think I'm falling for this city. It's energy, it's curious life stratregies, and many of its people. For all that Hank Williams, Jr. wanred us about, I find as many good and friendly people here as any city I have had the pleasure to experience for an extended amount of time. One observation that was rather striking to me was the immigrants with their small businesses here. For all the anti-immigration items and statements I have seen over the years, when I look these men and women in the eye and talk to them as I get a coffee, a newspaper, a sandwich, or whatever small sundry, I see people who came to this great nation to pursue the American dream like most all of our ancestors. If I were to begrudge them that, I'd begrudge my own family and their journey into this country hundreds of years ago. These folks came here to chase the ever more elusive American dream, I'm proud to see them do it. I'm proud to see that the dream lives on. I wish more of our native born citizens would pursue it as diligently as the people I have met here.

Forget the politics and tell us about the debaucherous love life, you say? Alas, there is no debauchery to share. There are opportunities for sure and there is one certain young lady a half continent away with whom I talk and email regularly through the week, but, well, she is half a continent away. The flying fickle finger of fate and all that.

I just missed getting to meet our favorite Southern Asian NYC lawyer, the alluring Frangrant Lotus, this week, but I certainly hope to make her acquaintence before I depart. And there are other NYC bloggers that I would love to meet while I am here as well. Here are just a few that I might note.

On a last personal note to all the very loyal gentle readers who have checked here regularly for an update, thanks for not giving up on me while I have been preoccupied. As anyone who has ever worked in a campaign can relate, there is little more than working the campaign and sleep. Oh, and occasionally, we get to eat. There are at least two great books that can emerge from these experiences; the frequent commenters and emailers will be the first to receive complimentary signed copies.

Posted by Adam H at February 6, 2004 08:28 PM ~ Link Cosmos | Trackbacks (0)

Comments

I absolutely adore New York City. It is a truly amazing place.

Posted by: Melissa at February 7, 2004 01:52 AM

It's about time! Do you know how worried we were. We've called every hospital from Arkansas to Washington State!!! We've been in constant contact with the police too. Unfortunately, once they discover you were not a child they refused to send out an Amber Alert! Bastards! Don't you ever go off like that again!

Posted by: Queen Goddess at February 8, 2004 03:42 PM

It's interesting to hear about all the experiences that you've been having, and your observations about immigrants in the bustling experience that is NYC. :)

Posted by: Zandria at February 9, 2004 08:00 AM

NYC is an amazing place. We froze our heinies off in May up there last year (my mom, daughter and I). People were incredibly nice and helpful. As soon as I opened my mouth (with a rather pronounced southern accent), folks would always ask if I was lost or needed help with directions. We loved the subway, too.

Good luck with the campaign. I think that as a democrat, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we nominate a southern Democrat for the presidency, or at the least, the vice presidency. I don't think that they can win without us, and the two yankees don't seem to be polling too darn well down here.

Posted by: spirit_grrrl at February 9, 2004 10:21 AM

Check with me about InitialMisconceptions.

I can get you his number and email.

Posted by: TheYeti at February 9, 2004 02:40 PM

Oh how you southern boys can talk and just make me fall in love with ya. I love that you are working on a compaign that you believe in, I love that in the process you are getting to meet the great people that make up this country of ours and are able to share your experiences with us but most of all I love how your words bring me some hope at time when all I feel is either sad or angry or paranoid or all of that at once.

Posted by: Miss Bliss at February 9, 2004 03:28 PM

No trip to Queens is unfortunate. You were in the best part of the city and didn't realize it.
Sheesh!
Tourists.

Full Disclosure, I grew up in Elmhurst, Queens.

Posted by: Starhawk at February 9, 2004 09:45 PM

They let you eat in your camp??? geesh. I was obviously working for the wrong candidates. :)

Posted by: beth at February 14, 2004 01:27 PM

I was pressed for time last week, so I printed your posts and took them home with me, thus the delay in commenting...

I'm envious of your time in the big city. I spent three days in NYC, and I cherished every second.

(I think I could even live there for a year or two, before I became homesick beyond belief.)

Posted by: Key at February 15, 2004 08:23 PM