I live in Indiana, where Mitch Daniels (R) is running for Governor against Joe Kernan (D). I like Joe Kernan. He's a good man who reluctantly took the position as Governor after Frank O'Bannon died in office recently.. and Daniels, well, he's a former Bushie, so we can't let him win.
Indiana, as you all well know, is a heavily Republican state, and Mitch Daniels is mounting one hell of a visible, active, and effective campaign. Hoosiers may typically vote Republican in Presidential elections, but on a local level, Democrats tend to fare pretty well. Anyhow, I've been trying to get in touch with someone working for the Kernan campaign for quite some time now to volunteer, and finally talked to someone this past weekend, who told me to get in touch with my local Democrat club.
So, on sunday, I spoke to someone from my local Democrat club and will be joining as soon as the next meeting comes around.. first week of next month. He seemed excited that I wanted to join, and asked if I'd be willing to go door to door this fall and work the polls on election day. I told him I would love to work the polls, and I already have the day scheduled off from work because I was planning on being there with a sign.. as far as going door to door is concerned, it's certainly nothing I haven't done before.
This is a big step for me, 2004 being the first year I've ever actually considered myself a Democrat. I've certainly been politically active before.. I've volunteered to many causes and even worked as a signature gatherer for the Citizen Action Coalition in my city. It's just that I always thought myself an "independent", noting that neither party held to my exact ideals. I've now learned that I cannot expect the Democratic party to represent me if I am not actually part of it.
I am now fiercely partisan, and am excited to be getting started volunteering my time to the party, not just the current cause of my choosing.. but I can't help but wonder: Is a Democrat club the right way to go? I can only assume that at least some, and probably many, of the people here belong to their local Democrat club.. so, what can I expect?