Today's Daily Kos diary in full. The continuing saga of a campaign canvasser.
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Sorry about the title but I have that hopeless feeling even though my Red Sox won the series last night.
Most times canvassing is fun, even in the rain like Saturday. Saturday was also fun with the discovery of more supporters and some independent leaners.
The weather sucked. It was supposed to stop raining in the morning then be partly something or other. Instead, we had a drizzle most of the day and anyone who's ever canvassed knows how bad it is to stand under a dripping eave hoping to be invited in the door.
Well; Kate got invited in.
For the first time this campaign, I listened to the staffer I was driving when she said I should just drive and stay in the warm and dry car. Guilty as charged. I let a recent college grad, with no rain coat of course, and a nasty hacking cough do all the canvassing while I browsed the web on my Treo.
I let Kate out between #11 and #14 so she could cover a few houses then I preceded to wait and wait. After about 10 minutes I began to get worried, no Kate. And I had no idea which house she was in. I have my own twenty something daughter and the dad worries kick in fast.
I backed up, I pulled forward, but still no Kate. Then, after perhaps 15 minutes she came out of one of the houses, ran to the car and got in with a huge sigh.
Brian's Story
A mother invited Kate in out of the rain and told her story, Brian's story.
Brian is terminally ill. Eight or nine by Kate's estimate.
This single mother, single income, care-giver was at wits end and actually concerned with the candidates. She wanted to tell her story for Kate to pass on. She wanted to know how Hillary would help her and others like her.
She is undecided and I can't imagine how she could care about anything else but her son. But I've never been there and maybe like anyone else she too needs to take her mind off things.
She almost lost Brian recently, I don't know the disease and does it matter? She has an income and some insurance. But neither is enough to cover the incredible costs, especially since she said Brian is a special case.
Her neighbors are helping to build a home care room. But Damn it all, this woman is alone, scared and ignored by our current government. She and her son are who Hillary cares most about.
What else can I say? Hillary Clinton has fought for universal health care for it seems like forever. Hillary will get it done. Hillary will never back down.
It may be too late for Brian but his story is repeated over and over too many times to keep ignoring.
It does take a village people. Let's build the village.
NewHampster's dKos Diary
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