Scranton Hangover

So I survived Scranton, PA and got the best birthday present in the bargain.

Yep, today is the 17th anniversary of my 40th birthday.  I am an old fart Hillary supporter.  Last night in Scranton I was totally surprised when the Clinton campaign threw a party for me.  They even had a large screen so we could watch the election returns while drinking and toasting Hillary, Fiona, Hugh Rodham and of course me. ;-)

This little vid is my friend Teresa.  Let me know if you don't want everyone seeing you toast Hillary.

The room is full of lots of young old Hill supporters.  People still fighting the battles of the 90's.  Battles like equal pay for equal work.  Battles like the right to live with and love whomever they want.  Battles like a woman's right to control her own destiny.  Yes these old folks are fighting some old battles that are still to be won.

In this video you can see lots of drunk Hillary supporters.

Here we have the Rodham brothers leading us in some good old cheers.
Photobucket

Primary day was awesome and also in some ways a let down.  The real hard work is done but the campaigns always want people our canvassing.  I myself canvassed two streets and only found one person home.  To me, primary day is about visibility and getting people to the polls.  But Viz in Scranton was not like in NH.

My polling place in Londonderry, NH where I spent the day, is the largest polling place in the state.  One high school gym for a town of 30,000.  We had a constant stream of voters all day and many actually ask the volunteers about the candidates.  In Scranton there are many small spots in the neighborhoods. I spent a few minutes at a VFW hall and saw only two voters come in.  Then I went to a Middle School that was supposed to be busy. I was joined by 3 others from Texas and we had a good time speaking to the few people who bothered to chat.  But for the most part, they just walked in and voted.

The more fun was the regular viz in town.  I covered that earlier.

Yes, I woke this morning with a slight hangover.   Hillary had an open bar and we did enjoy it to the fullest.

We watched the results and we listened when Hillary called us on the phone to speak to the Scranton area supporters.  What a night it was.

In 5 days of canvassing and screaming during GOTV we all made friends who's names we don't know and some we'll never forget.  Last night was the time for hugs, congratulations and farewells.

Farewell Roscoe.  Keep working your butt off in Indiana or wherever they send you next.  

Farewell Massachusetts women from Boston, Cambridge and Quincy.  You guys were the hardest workers of all and Hillary appreciates it so much.

Farewell my Austin friends.  You guys are incredible.  9 states for Hillary and still counting.  I wish I could join you.

Farewell Jeff, my canvass partner on Saturday.  You were an awesome volunteer for Hillary and I know that in your job at the rehab center, you'll make Hillary proud to have had your support.

Farewell Jim.  We canvassed for two days solid in Scranton and the hills of Archbald.  Your conversation and views of the race have me thinking and I thank you.  I just wish that after two days together I was smart enough to know your name and contact info.

Farewell UlsterDem.  I wish we had canvassed together but we enjoyed the best down times together and I feel I've got another online friend.

Farewell Joe.  That volunteer every campaign office needs.  The local gal or in this case a guy who takes care of the kids.  Staffers are basically pigs.  They think they're still in college so Joe is the one who did the trash, recycled, cleaned the johns, cleaned the food tables and generally made life livable for the rest of us.

And fare thee well my friend, TeresaInPA.  You truly know how to make travelers feel welcome in your city.  Thank you

Thank you Scranton, thank you Pennsylvania.  You've made a believer and I promise to soon take a real vacation in your beautiful state.



Display:


Tips for Scranton (2.00 / 18)


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:21:21 PM EST

thank you (2.00 / 2)

Maybe I will come volunteer in NH next time!


For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!
by TeresaInPa on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:44:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Scranton Hangover - Highly Rec'd! (2.00 / 11)

Wonderful post New Hampster.  That first video is an absolute delight!


Donate to Hillary Now!
by alegre on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:30:08 PM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 11)

Ya done good, Hampster. Wish I coulda been there!


I'm United Methodist. I already have a Messiah.
by KnowVox on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:32:08 PM EST

Wherever (2.00 / 11)

NewHampster goes, Hillary triumphs.  I think we should take up a collection to send you to North Carolina.


That's it, baby; let's go win this election!
by Beltway Dem on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:32:33 PM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 9)

Did those people in the back just have happy feet? Because I don't hear music in the room.  We all had happy--what ever  part of our body could move the best--last night, and happy minds, souls, and the rest.  

Congratulations and Thanks Hampster for bringing us a major victory, and Happy Birthday feet, too!


by Scotch on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:33:26 PM EST

There was music but (2.00 / 7)

my camera did not pick it up over the shouting very well.  there's a technical term about the quality of a digital camera's mike and a real video camera audio pick up.


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:36:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 9)

scandalous! there wasn't and DRINKING going on, was there??? i hope you survived- you looked heavily outnumbered by happy women there. you shoulda called for backup.

that was really classy of hillary to call Scranton - you know she did the same for Pittsburgh and the other centers. she never forgets the folks who do the work.

it was a great night.

oh, yeah, thanks for another miraculous, game-changing result, hampster. you're two for two with NH and now PA. do you do consulting?


by campskunk on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:34:10 PM EST

Hey it's 3 for 3 (2.00 / 10)

I went to Rhode Island too.


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:38:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey it's 3 for 3 (2.00 / 8)

Hampster, I have a feeling you'd go to the Moon for Hillary!  

(... or at least moon someone for Hillary!) LOL!


I'm United Methodist. I already have a Messiah.
by KnowVox on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:42:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey it's 3 for 3 (2.00 / 6)

do NOT encourage him.


by campskunk on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:03:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey it's 3 for 3 (2.00 / 7)

Heh! Too late!


I'm United Methodist. I already have a Messiah.
by KnowVox on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:40:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey it's 3 for 3 (2.00 / 2)

Maybe we need to send you to Howard Dean to convince him to get his head out of his ass!


Linfar's co-blogger opposing John McCain
by psychodrew on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:52:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 8)

Excellent.

You know, some of the people you meet become life long friends. We have an alumni list from El Paso, and at least while there is organizing to be done, we talk all the time.

Great job, Hampster! You guys made the rest of our jobs today a lot easier. The NBC popular vote count has us down by 200k. Peanuts. May is going to be a great month.


by Pacific John on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:39:36 PM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 8)

Thank you!


by LindaSFNM on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:44:02 PM EST

One One Old-Fart Hillary Supporter (2.00 / 8)

to Another---Great Work Hammie.  You are a total champion!!

Hammie the Conquerer, Knight Errant to Hillary the Great!

Are you headed back to NH, or on to quest the grail in NC or IN?

Keep up the great work and turn that tide!!

GOOOOOO HILLLLLLLLARRRRRRRRYYYYYYY!!!!!!


I like the silence of a church, before the service begins better than any preaching. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
by Norwegian Chef on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:03:19 PM EST

Chef, thanks (2.00 / 2)

I do wish I could continue on but I am one of those lowly working stiffs and must return to earning a living.  


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:08:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 7)

Nicely done Hempster.  Nice to meet up with other Hill supporters in person.  


by JoeySky18 on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:15:43 PM EST

If today (2.00 / 6)

is the 17th anniversary of your 40th birthday, then I guess I'm celebrating my 16th anniversary of my 40th birthday today.

Old farts for Hillary!


by Coldblue on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:23:10 PM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 2)

Congratulations New Hampster....You fought hard for your candidate, and it should be acknowledged.


A useless "Community Organizer" from Pennsylvania as noted by Republicans, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin
by hootie4170 on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 10:44:13 PM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 7)

For you, Hampster.  Well done.


by Caldonia on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 11:12:18 PM EST

Thanks Cal (2.00 / 1)

Love the animation


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:03:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

For NewHampster: (2.00 / 5)

petersondavis

Thanks for all you've done for Hillary! Thanks for all your wonderful diaries!


by Nobama on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 11:46:04 PM EST

Thanks for the card (2.00 / 1)


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:04:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Great way to celebrate a birthday. (2.00 / 4)

You are so good at getting out the vote for Hillary that I pray you are on your way to Indiana even as we speak.  ;-)

As usual, this is a splendid diary.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.


by macmcd on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:16:34 AM EST

I wish I could go (2.00 / 2)

But alas, my customers need me.  The problem when one builds and hosts educational web sites for Architects at companies like Ford, Polo and SOM.  If I could just find someone to answer my job posting on Craigslist I might get more time off.

Shameless self promotion is a hallmark of the true American.


I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.
by NewHampster on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:15:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Scranton Hangover (2.00 / 3)

Happy Birthday and Congratulations!

Now I have to bust you:

Why did Wilkes-Barre's county vote for Hillary by 1% more than Scranton's?

Wilkes-Barre ROCKED the vote for Hillary!!!!

:-)


2004 swing state margins: PA-2%, OH-2%, IA-1%, WI-0.5%, MI-3%, FL-5%, NM-1%; Alienating 50% of the party is a luxury we can't afford.
by BPK80 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 01:17:50 AM EST

where did you see that stat? (2.00 / 1)

that's funny.  I can tell you that I think they have less latte drinkers there, but I am not sure that is the reason.  


For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!
by TeresaInPa on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:51:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: where did you see that stat? (2.00 / 1)

Scranton rocked the vote too!

How many Starbucks are in Lackawanna County?  I know of 4 in Luzerne... as well as a bunch of "non Starbucks" equivalents like Cafe Europa and places in the downtown.  

Either way, W-B and Scranton showed Hillary some big love.  <3's for Hillary from NEPA.  

She beat Obama by FIFTY PERCENT!!!!!  75/25% And netted something like 80,000 votes from
W-B/Scranton alone.  Unbelievable.  


2004 swing state margins: PA-2%, OH-2%, IA-1%, WI-0.5%, MI-3%, FL-5%, NM-1%; Alienating 50% of the party is a luxury we can't afford.
by BPK80 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:43:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: where did you see that stat? (2.00 / 1)

Also the stat was both on CNN and front page of the Times Leader.

Luzerne was 75/25 (with the decimals in Clinton's favor, making it closer to 51% spread... NOT that decimals matter, haha).  Approx 48,000 votes to Obama's 14,000.

Lackawanna was 74/26.  I think it was 42,000 to 12,000.  Bloodbath for BHO.  


2004 swing state margins: PA-2%, OH-2%, IA-1%, WI-0.5%, MI-3%, FL-5%, NM-1%; Alienating 50% of the party is a luxury we can't afford.
by BPK80 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 12:44:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

cheers (2.00 / 1)

and great job!


vote blue in 2008
by sepulvedaj3 on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:08:59 AM EST

Re: Scranton Hangover (none / 0)

Happy Birthday, Hampster!  :)

Thank you so much for a job well done and for the most wonderful reports.  :)


by Hurdy Gurdy on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 09:45:57 AM EST


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