As those of you who have been reading this blog, receiving campaign updates via email, or facebook are aware; today I was outside the Zion Post Office meeting voters and handing out flyer's. While the experience is still fresh in my mind, I thought it would be useful to record my impressions of the day.
The mission for today was, Basic Campaigning 101, meet the voters and get the message out.
You just need the stamina to stay on your feet for over four hours, keep your hands warm enough to not have to wear gloves (handling paper with gloves is nearly impossible), and greet every person coming out of the post office with the same enthusiasm as the first person who came out at 9:07 am. Luck was with me this morning, and I had a nice sunny day to be outside.
Physically, I think I did pretty well, though my left knee is sending me some nasty notes reminding me that I also spent three hours the day before going door to door. Also, my face is now sunburned.
Overall, the impression I received was positive, and that makes me hopeful. For all the grousing about how coarse our society has become, at heart we are still a polite people. When greeted respectfully, most people will pause to listen, take the flyer, and say "Thank You" or "Good Luck" and then move on.
Out of the 300 or so people I approached today, only two refused to talk with me because they had already decided to vote for another candidate. One man was so adamant that he had already decided who to vote for that he practically ran to his car to get away from me!
Some people did stop and talk with me; a gentleman asked how long I had lived here (17 years), a lady asked if I was related to the Fischer's in Winthrop Harbor (it's possible), and several asked if I am a Democrat or a Republican. I always remind them that it is a non-partisan election, and then I give them an honest answer. (If you want to know what that answer is, ask me and I'll tell you.)
Others expressed their frustration with how the city is being run, a few aired grievances over past conflicts with the Building Department, or a particular Commissioner. A few even said that they had read my Candidate Profile in the Zion Benton News and quite liked it. That last item makes me feel particularly good.
In the end, it was time well spent, and now I have a better appreciation of this time honored tradition; meeting people face to face, talking with, and listening to them is a requirement that must be met before anyone can presume to speak for them as their representative.
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Don't forget, early voting starts on March 25th, election day is April 9th. I will be posting Get Out the Vote activities in the next few days, and if you believe that Zion needs a change, I am asking for your help to make it happen.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Christopher Fischer
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