Adventures in Door-Knocking
You'd think knocking on doors would be the easy part...
November 1, 2008
- door tally: 6,311
I have now knocked on 6,311 doors. If you had a chance to read the Wayne Suburban I had my first really nasty experience as a woman chased me off her door step. I have to thank Bill Adolph for putting out his mail piece as everyone knows who I am when I knock on a door. At one door in Springfield a man opened the door and said, "Oh I got some mail about you. You're a really bad guy," he said with a smile on his face as he let me know I had his vote. A woman in Springfield told me she had heard good things about "that Tom Quinn." I told her he was a a good guy.
I have enjoyed this aspect of the campaign far more than any other. On the other side of those doors I have talked to thousands of voters and it has been a pleasure to ask for their vote. I have been rained on, chasing more dogs than I can remember, searched for a bathroom many times, tripped on walkways and I have even had the glass on a door shatter as I knocked. It is good to know that I can say that I have been to the door in over 1 out 3 households in the district. People will know who they are voting for and I have no complaint about that.
October 1, 2008
- door tally: 4,643
With the help of volunteers and now the Obama Campaign, which is also dropping our literature, we have directly reached 10,000 homes with our literature and will double this in the next couple of days when our first district wide mailing goes out. I am also proud to say that I have knocked on at least one door in each of the 45 voting precincts that make up this district.
A woman in Radnor shrieked when she saw I was a Democrat. "They are all a bunch of thieves! Who are you running against?" I answered and she said "Never heard of him, but I'm sure if I knew anything about him I'd hate him to!" Not getting that vote. Not sure who is.
At a door in Springfield a little boy about 4 answered the door. I asked him if Mom or Dad was home and he said, "Yes. I have on no pants!" And he ran away. And, yes, he did not have on pants. A much cuter story than the guy in Marple with no pants last month.
In Radnor a woman came to the door and told me to "Wait right there." She never came back.
In Springfield in honor of Sarah Palin a woman asked me if I ever ate a moose-burger. I said, "No, but I have put lipstick on a pig." Not even sure what that means, but she laughed.
In Marple a woman said, "I sure hope you win." I do too.
September 1, 2008
- door tally: 3,517
In Marple I told a woman I was running for State Representative and she said, "Oh, what state?" I said, "This one... Pennsylvania." Glad I could help her with the geography.
In Springfield I got angry at my first voter when he insisted Obama was a Muslim. I said, "He is not a Muslim." "He is too," said the man who I hope forgets when election day is. "No he is not. If you don't like him find a better reason to not vote for him." "Well, he's still a Muslim," said the voter. "But I will vote for you." Not sure I want than one.
In Marple a naked man came to the door. Enough said.
In Marple when a voter saw I was a Democrat he said, "So are you a Communist or a Socialist?" I said, " Most days I'm a Communist, but on days when I am feeling open-minded I am a Socialist." " Ha, " he laughed," A sense of humor! I'm voting for you." People vote for strange reasons.
In Radnor it rained. Nothing funny happened, but I got pretty wet. People then proceeded to tell me I was wet when I came to their door. Very helpful.
In Marple a voter got in his car after finding my literature and tracked me down the street. He asked me a few questions and we spoke for 15 minutes disagreeing rather adamantly on just about everything. He got back into his car and said "I'm voting for you just for listening to me." I will take the vote, but he really shouldn't vote for me.
August 1, 2008
- door tally: 2,664
I have now knocked on 2,664 doors in Springfield, Morton, Marple and Radnor – in 35 different voting precincts. I ask you to support me with our new fundraiser page and pledge to donate a dime for every door I knock on. Check out the new page here- Knock On Doors With Me!
This month I met a 90-year-old man in Springfield who told me he was exhausted because he was the only man in his senior group and "the ladies are all over me!"
In Marple I got on a skateboard for the first time in 20 years and did not break anything!
In Radnor I got lost repeatedly and can not believe how long some of the driveways are. I think I got a few votes just for walking up them.
I met a woman in Marple who said, "Can you do anything about the gophers?" This reminded me of my days in the classroom where students, particularly elementary aged kids, expect that you know the answer to everything. I told her I did not know much about gophers but I thought Home Depot might sell some kind of trap. She thanked me profusely for the idea and told me I had her vote. Whatever it takes I guess.
I continue to enjoy getting out and it was very hot out there this month. My favorite quote may have come today when a woman in Radnor thanked me for coming and as I was leaving came back outside and said, "No, really thanks for taking the time. That was really cool." I am not sure if I have ever been cool – and if I was it was a long time ago, but people appreciate the effort and I am enjoying the conversations.
People want to vote for people they can believe in and as one woman in Marple said, "Be honest. Please be honest." People are hungry for that.
I have gone through one pair of shoes and I will keep at it. So far I have jump-started my car, broken into a house, and become an expert on gophers. Can't wait to find out what awaits me out there next month!
July 2, 2008
- door tally: 2,000!
I knocked on my 2,000th door in Radnor. Interestingly enough, I found out that my opponent was in the neighborhood last weekend. An incumbent door knocking in June? I say good for him, but our Radnor neighbor thought it unusual: she had never seen him in the neighborhood for the 10 years she has lived there. She told me I was must be doing something right. Guess I'll keep knocking!
June 2008
- door tally: more than 1,900
Throughout the month I continued to go door to door. I have knocked on over 1900 doors now and the stories keep getting better. Most people ask me if I already am the State Rep or whether I would like a glass of water – it's hot out there! But every once in a while I am finding things more than a little interesting.
Going to the next level...or at least the 2nd floor
Such was the case last week in Springfield when an 86-year-old woman came to her door. As she opened the door to talk to me her dog jumped up and knocked the door closed – locking her out of her house! We tried knocking on the "has the spare key" neighbor's door (not at home), and calling a friend (not at home). So I went to work. We saw a window screen that she told me might be able to be opened so I climbed up on the railing of her porch and got the screen to move. I then found another neighbor with a ladder and climbed up – with the very nice lady holding the ladder for support – and climbed in the window and unlocked the door. The dog found this all very interesting.
After opening the door, I got a promise of a vote in November – and a hug. All in a day's work, I suppose.
May 2008
- door tally: more than 1,200
Catching dogs in Springfield
After knocking on over 1,200 doors in Springfield, Marple and Radnor, I am enjoying the chance to meet people and talk about the issues facing us in Harrisburg. It has not been without its comedic moments though. Like the woman in Springfield whose 3 dogs ran out as we were talking. I ended up carrying a bull dog and 2 other small dogs back across the street as several neighbors on Norwinden Drive came out to watch. One yelled out "You catch dogs, too?" and another "You'll do anything for a vote!"
My low point was when I realized I had left the parking lights on in Marple and had to ask someone whose door I had just knocked on for a jump. I assured him that I would be more skillful with policy in Harrisburg than I am with cars! This is the best part of this process and I am enjoying it a great deal. I look forward to getting to as many doors as I can and hopefully not chasing too many dogs or needing any more jumps.