BUS TOUR JOURNAL: DAY 3Thursday November 2, 2006 When there are elections, there is no sleep. Well except if you’re Bob Ehrlich with one event a day. But I guess how hard you campaign really is a good judge of how hard you’ll work in office. Oh I had to point it out… Day 3 on the O’Malley/Brown Working for Families Tour saw even more momentum and once again it got started quite early. Sign Wave: For commuters in Dundalk, they were greeted by Martin and Anthony on their way to work this morning. Of course the honks and waves were appreciated by all of the people in green shirts toughing out the morning chill. Nothing warms the spirit like a call for progress. Kitchen Table: The closeness of November 7 really came into focus as Martin and Anthony sat down at their final kitchen table talk. They joined Butch Henry, the host of the first kitchen table, and 20 or so friends and neighbors (some were ironworkers from the Local 16) to talk about the kind of Maryland we’re moving towards. During the conversation, Martin promised Butch and his friends that “Anthony and I will stay true to our word, always working for the very families that make this State so strong.â€? Anthony mentioned afterwards that these “kitchen table talks have really been the foundation of why we run. We’ve really had such a unique opportunity to hear about the concerns of our families and about the tools they need to grow and thrive.â€? He continued, “This has been one of the best parts of the entire campaign and I’ll always remember those honest conversations.â€? Firehouse: Martin and Anthony then had an opportunity to thank the men and women at Lansdowne Volunteer Fire House who’ve given the O’Malley/Brown ticket so much support in Arbutus. They really have made the difference. Joined by local residents, firefighters, and the Pastor from across the street, Pete Kristumas gave Martin, Anthony, Jim Smith, Doug Gansler and others a brief history. This historic firehouse, built in 1905, was started by the community because of a rash of fires that threatened the families. That sacred responsibility forged by the community lives on everyday when, as Martin hit on, they choose to fight for “our shared vision of America the community and not America the crowd.â€? GOTV Rally at Bowie State University: About an hour away, Martin and Anthony joined thousands of students, teachers, leaders, Democrats and just about everyone under the sun to make sure that 4 days from now, we have leadership working for families back in our state again. The place was warmed up for Senator Barak Obama who inspired us around the “audacity of hope.â€? He closed in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. who said “the moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.â€? Senator Obama then added that it’s our responsibility – it’s our hands, together – that will make it bend. Trader Joes: An hour northward, the campaign – along with Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, Joe Curran, Bobby Zirkin, Dan Moreheim and 40 others – made a stop outside of Trader Joes to shake some hands and greet some folks on their way to Oakview Senior Center. Oakview Senior Center: Once the massive green bus arrived, Martin and Anthony were first out the door to talk with some of Maryland’s best about how we increase independence, make health care and Rx drugs more affordable, and how we secure our state for the next generation. Time and time again, Martin and Anthony heard about the need of a partnership that’s going to ring true every year, not just an election year. Well this afternoon, the candidates had an opportunity to strengthen and grow that partnership. Parkview Senior Apartments: Just a few minutes later, Martin and Anthony met up with some seniors in Randallstown to get people excited about voting. And if they were feeling down before they came, a rousing introduction by Schlundra Moore took care of that. And an endorsement by the National Democratic Conference of Mayors mid tour didn’t hurt either. Battle Grove Democratic Club: Closing out the night was an event that wouldn’t help anyone get to sleep. This rally, with one of the stalwarts of the Democratic Party, was just what the doctor ordered to take us to victory on the 7th. I’ve never seen 300 people more excited for an election. It sounds like Maryland is a ready for a change! And I know one green bus has been bringing that change across our State. Look out Greater Washington, we’re in your neck of the woods tomorrow. – Nicholas Stewart |
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