Adventures in Door-Knocking
You'd think knocking on doors would be the easy part...
August 1, 2008
- door tally: 2,664
I have now knocked on 2,664 doors in Springfield, Morton, Marple and Radnor – in 35 different voting precincts. I ask you to support me with our new fundraiser page and pledge to donate a dime for every door I knock on. Check out the new page here- Knock On Doors With Me!
This month I met a 90-year-old man in Springfield who told me he was exhausted because he was the only man in his senior group and "the ladies are all over me!"
In Marple I got on a skateboard for the first time in 20 years and did not break anything!
In Radnor I got lost repeatedly and can not believe how long some of the driveways are. I think I got a few votes just for walking up them.
I met a woman in Marple who said, "Can you do anything about the gophers?" This reminded me of my days in the classroom where students, particularly elementary aged kids, expect that you know the answer to everything. I told her I did not know much about gophers but I thought Home Depot might sell some kind of trap. She thanked me profusely for the idea and told me I had her vote. Whatever it takes I guess.
I continue to enjoy getting out and it was very hot out there this month. My favorite quote may have come today when a woman in Radnor thanked me for coming and as I was leaving came back outside and said, "No, really thanks for taking the time. That was really cool." I am not sure if I have ever been cool – and if I was it was a long time ago, but people appreciate the effort and I am enjoying the conversations.
People want to vote for people they can believe in and as one woman in Marple said, "Be honest. Please be honest." People are hungry for that.
I have gone through one pair of shoes and I will keep at it. So far I have jump-started my car, broken into a house, and become an expert on gophers. Can't wait to find out what awaits me out there next month!
July 2, 2008
- door tally: 2,000!
I knocked on my 2,000th door in Radnor. Interestingly enough, I found out that my opponent was in the neighborhood last weekend. An incumbent door knocking in June? I say good for him, but our Radnor neighbor thought it unusual: she had never seen him in the neighborhood for the 10 years she has lived there. She told me I was must be doing something right. Guess I'll keep knocking!
June 2008
- door tally: more than 1,900
Throughout the month I continued to go door to door. I have knocked on over 1900 doors now and the stories keep getting better. Most people ask me if I already am the State Rep or whether I would like a glass of water – it's hot out there! But every once in a while I am finding things more than a little interesting.
Going to the next level...or at least the 2nd floor
Such was the case last week in Springfield when an 86-year-old woman came to her door. As she opened the door to talk to me her dog jumped up and knocked the door closed – locking her out of her house! We tried knocking on the "has the spare key" neighbor's door (not at home), and calling a friend (not at home). So I went to work. We saw a window screen that she told me might be able to be opened so I climbed up on the railing of her porch and got the screen to move. I then found another neighbor with a ladder and climbed up – with the very nice lady holding the ladder for support – and climbed in the window and unlocked the door. The dog found this all very interesting.
After opening the door, I got a promise of a vote in November – and a hug. All in a day's work, I suppose.
May 2008
- door tally: more than 1,200
Catching dogs in Springfield
After knocking on over 1,200 doors in Springfield, Marple and Radnor, I am enjoying the chance to meet people and talk about the issues facing us in Harrisburg. It has not been without its comedic moments though. Like the woman in Springfield whose 3 dogs ran out as we were talking. I ended up carrying a bull dog and 2 other small dogs back across the street as several neighbors on Norwinden Drive came out to watch. One yelled out "You catch dogs, too?" and another "You'll do anything for a vote!"
My low point was when I realized I had left the parking lights on in Marple and had to ask someone whose door I had just knocked on for a jump. I assured him that I would be more skillful with policy in Harrisburg than I am with cars! This is the best part of this process and I am enjoying it a great deal. I look forward to getting to as many doors as I can and hopefully not chasing too many dogs or needing any more jumps.