Precinct Captain autorank taking a brief rest. Damn this is hard but fun.

[autorank]

I got 'volunteered' as precinct captain for a sizable Northern Virginia Precinct. It goes Democrat in Federal years but can swing in state years (in VA our elections are 01-05 etc. just like NJ).

Other than being up all night to overcompensate for my 'newness' in this position, we're cranking out some good work. Starts at 5am and I'm just getting a break.

Got "drive and drag" in gear (thats "and" not "in";). You send people out to the voters you want, at this point voters with infrequent voting but leaning Democrat. The Kaine crew in VA is top notch. All 20 somethings, all very smart. Thinking out of the box in a positive way is their thing. Watch these kids.

Here's what's odd at this point. The voters are almost all women for long periods of time. They gladly take my sample ballot (Democrat-Kaine,Gov; Byrne, Lt. Gov; Deeds, A.G.). They are either indifferent or highly miffed when the Republican workers try to hand them theres. I can't wait to see the results. You'll hear about it big time if we win.

The Republicans up here are pretty decent. I don't think they like Kilgore much (its a highly educated area) and we're joking back and forth. One Republican worker decided that she and I should run the state. Damn, autorank in charge of a major state. Watch out! Universal health care, free university for all who qualify, no more bumper stickers of any kind (pet peeve of mine...haha).

The stakes here are very high and people don't realize it.

Kaine is a center-left of center politician who will carry on the Warner tradition of excellent management and probably move the state left. Kilgore is a nightmare. McDonnell, running for A.G. is worse. Kilgore and McDonnell have been critical of alien workers, yet they've taken money from alien worker contractors, lots. McDonnel, now this is scary, has received money from white power folks...repeat, white power folks. The chief law officer in the state of Jefferson, maybe, with this baggage.

Who has covered this? Not many papers, and NOT THE WASHINGTON POST FOR MUCH.

This funding is a scandal of epic proportions.

Kaine should win, but Deeds, our A.G. candidate may lose.

Pray for Virginia. I'll check in when it's all over.

Now it's back to work. 90 min R&R is over.

Check out this blogger in VA. He's the BEST.


http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2005/10/mcdonnell-laundering-update/

http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2005/11/mcdonnell-further-entangled/

[blm]

1. Cheers to you, autorank.

The call of the citizen patriot.

[autorank]

6. We kicked some serious bootie!

:evilgrin: Thanks!!!

[acmejack]

2. Thank you for your work.

May you be successful.

In Solidarity,
a

[autorank]

7. Solidarity is right. Kilgore and Co are truly Falwellian.

And the Attorney General contest, what an outrage.

[LynneSin]

3. How are the machines

I'm hearing some scary stories that there are problems with the voting machines in Virginia and possibly a fix in to steal the election.

Anyone complaining about the machines?

[autorank]

8. Fairfax Co has WinVote...had problems in past but seem resolved.

I got to watch them take the count from the machines. The head poll worker has been doing this for many years. She was quick and the crew knew what to do. I didn't see anything wrong.

In '03, I believe, there was a "WinVote" screw up and the Republicans in Fairfax were furious. Since some of them run or help run major high tech companies, they did a report and asked for access to WinVote source code. The Democrats control Fairfax County so it was an odd situation. Neither side in Fairfax wants to fool around with machine hi jinx.

The problem with the machines is that once I cast my vote, I had no access to it and I had no reason to believe the outcome, given the "proprieitary" "trade secret" garbage the vendors use to keep us away from our votes. That' wont go unti the machines go.

Thanks for asking.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Thanks for your report, Autorank, and for your work at the polls.

[Joe Chi Minh]

5. Great to hear your news from there, Cap'n!

[Stinky The Clown]

9. autorank, my friend ...... you's good people

Or should I now call you Captain?

Great win tonite for VA's Dems!