George,

Yesterday, I drove over from Virginia to join the grassroots campaign for Barack Obama in Ohio. As you might expect, a snow storm, something called a “clipper,” moved in this morning, adding several inches of snow to that already on the ground. Nevertheless, my canvass colleague and I knocked on 131 doors and secured commitments of 60 votes for Obama in the March 4 primary.

Our assigned neighborhood was primarily African-American and we were greeted with enthusiasm. Some, seeing my pin, cheered as they opened the door. One guy, who answered the door in his pajamas (I think he was probably sick), was for Obama, but hesitated when I asked if he was going to vote on Tuesday. Then, he looked across the street at my VA license plate and said, “If you can drive all the way from Virginia and visit me in a snow storm, the least I can do is go out and vote.”

We’re witnessing an amazing movement. People who probably haven’t voted in years are informed, committed, and hopeful. Over the weekend, the Ohio campaign’s target is a million visits. Based on this first day’s experience and the number of volunteers, it looks possible.

Watch this spot.

Grant Tate (Electronic mail, February 29, 2008)

Editor's Note: Grant Tate is not a starry-eyed newcomer to the process. He's a former executive with IBM and now a management consultant and partner in Bridgewater Innovations of Fork Union. Grant is also a former chair of the Fluvanna County Democratic Committee and has served on the County's Economic Development Board.