Joe Roma's Road to the White House Blog

The past two days have been a couple of th most exciting days of my life. If I haven't mentioned this yet (which I really don't remember) I am working in the Manchester office of the Howard Dean campaign, which also happens to be the state headquarters for Dean campaign in New Hampshire. So, suffice to say, the office is huge and there is always a bustle of activity.

Yesterday a group of us participated in a "lit drop," which is essentially dropping packets of pro-Dean information at houses. Later in the day, someone would then call them and ask them if they got the information. While that was pretty cool, to REALLY cool part was the "sign war" that ensued outside the final Democratic debate before the primary.

Again, to clarify: A "Sign War" is basically what it sounds like. Campaigns get out there early to stake out prime real estate in a designated area. As the day goes on, more people from each campaign show up. But by about 5pm or so, it's a full-fledged battle, with campaigns trying to outshout and outshine other campaigns in amount of signs, people and loudness.

I have been in a few sign wars before, but this was unlike anything I've ever seen. The Edwards, Kucinich and Clark campaign had modest personnel, and our campaign completely outnumbered them. By about 7:30, we had upwards of at least 300 people, and our campaign owned the whole area.

And then the Kerry campaign showed up. Basically, they came in with their Firemen (their union supports Kerry) playing bagpipes. Then the burly firemen came in, followed by a processional of cars and other supporters. The Kerry contingent was probably more people than ours, but, luckily for us, the Clark people hate Kerry more than we do, so they basically teamed up to help subdue the onslaught of Kerry supporters.

By the end of the night, the Dean campaign had signs and supporters lining the hill, just in time to see Dr. Dean come in in his van....

So, I must depart for now...more tomorrow on today, which is even better than this story I just told you.

Cheers

Well, there was definite disappointment in seeing Howard Dean come in 3rd in Iowa. I was expecting him to come in at least second, but as it turns out, coming in third might have been a blessing in disguise. Now Kerry is the front runner, and Dean can return to the role he fills so well: the Washington outsider who can attack the Bush Administration based on the soundness of his past political history and strength of his convictions.

I have not been so excited about this campaign as in the past 24 hours. Seeing Howard Dean give his rousing speach at the airport at 3am this morning was amazing; where others may be wavering in their support I have only been strengthened.

Today was an amazing day outside the campaign as well. We took a trip up to Concord, the state capital, to visit the state Democratic and Republican offices, and we got a chance to visit the State House and go inside both the House and Senate. The rest of the day was spent at the campaign, a day full of canvassing and visibility. At one point myself and another guy singlehandedly started a "sign war" between the Dean, Kerry and Clark campaigns. It was almost a religious experience, screaming at the top of your lungs in support of your candidate.

More tomorrow...I am meeting Howard Dean

Well, there was definite disappointment in seeing Howard Dean come in 3rd in Iowa. I was expecting him to come in at least second, but as it turns out, coming in third might have been a blessing in disguise. Now Kerry is the front runner, and Dean can return to the role he fills so well: the Washington outsider who can attack the Bush Administration based on the soundness of his past political history and strength of his convictions.

I have not been so excited about this campaign as in the past 24 hours. Seeing Howard Dean give his rousing speach at the airport at 3am this morning was amazing; where others may be wavering in their support I have only been strengthened.

Today was an amazing day outside the campaign as well. We took a trip up to Concord, the state capital, to visit the state Democratic and Republican offices, and we got a chance to visit the State House and go inside both the House and Senate. The rest of the day was spent at the campaign, a day full of canvassing and visibility. At one point myself and another guy singlehandedly started a "sign war" between the Dean, Kerry and Clark campaigns. It was almost a religious experience, screaming at the top of your lungs in support of your candidate.

More tomorrow...I am meeting Howard Dean

Hello all from snowy New Hampshire!

New Hampshire is one of the most amazing place I have ever been in my life! It reminds me of all the good times I had playing in the snow as a child but also appeals to me as an adult because it is just so beautiful. The state has done a complete 180 from a few days ago when it was 30 degrees below zero. Currently it's 21 degrees, but it's so crisp and calm that it's actually a treat to stand out in...at least for awhile.

I cannot wait to get to work tomorrow on Howard Dean's campaign. Tomorrow has the added excitement of being the day of the Iowa Caucuses, so I am waiting in reserved anticipation to see who comes out on top in that race. No matter what the outcome, the race in New Hampshire will become all that more important for Howard Dean. If he comes in close second he will have momentum towards a solid victory in New Hampshire and will definitely have momentum going into the next round of primaries. If he wins Iowa, which I think he will, then winning New Hampshire will be all that more important because every Democratic candidate who has ever won both New Hampshire and Iowa has gone on to win the nomination.

Tomorrow I will be getting up early, getting in the office early and getting home late. I can't wait.

Cheers, and warm wishes from the Granite State
Joe

Well.....

Only 4 days until I fly my warm self up to the frozen tundra that is Nashua, New Hampshire. While I'm not looking forward to the weather (it's currently zero in Nashua), I am looking forward to the chance to take part in the New Hampshire primary and to assure an overwhelming victory for Howard Dean.

I have spoken with a bunch of Republicans lately. They tell me the country is going conservative, that Democratic candidates are losing ground everywhere. To that I say that the country is more moderate than ever and needs a moderate candidate like Howard Dean to revive the grandeur of our American system.

Bush had his chance...he squandered American prestige and international support, has driven the economy into the ground with "trickle down" economics, and has made the world a more dangerous place by deciding to unilaterally invade countries at will.

The argument has been presented that we had to invade Iraq to save the people. If Bush had given that reason for invading the country and backed it with evidence, I would have whole-heartedly supported him the way I supported Clinton in Kosovo. But no, in case we all forget he went into Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction, WMDs he still has not found. Besides, there are a lot worse places we can intervene, like in the Congo, where 3 million people have died from a civil war that still rages today.

Anyway, I got off track, but I hope that it is obvious that I do not want George W. Bush to be my President for the next four years. While any Democrat would be better than Dubya, I feel that only Dean can return our country to the prestige of the Clinton years.

Damn...do I really have to wait 4 more days???

January 7, 2003

Ahh, simply a test posting. You will have to hold off on the wonderful meanderings of Joe Roma until further notice.

I'm such a loser...