Restoring the Constitution State

Connecticut Deployment

October 22 – October 24

 

By: Laura Chambers

It all started one evening in Ohio. 

As our leadership team surveyed the mob of blue-clad volunteers making dials in the Victory office just outside of Cleveland, we shared a moment as more than 40 volunteers cranked out calls and others organized the day’s walk books (there were, after all, more volunteers than phones).   

“What an awesome trip, team,” Rich Counts, Chairman of the DC Young Republicans complimented the small crowd of his executive board, Victory Rep’s and Ohio YR’s huddled around, “I can’t believe how well all this came together.” 

“Lisa really did a phenomenal job making arrangements and taking care of us,” Brittny McKinney, DCYR Executive Vice-Chair acknowledged. “And you guys were so well prepared for us!” she said turning her attention to the Victory office field Director. 

“If only we could do more deployments in these last few weekends,” another girl piped up. “I know we already have a trip on the schedule, but you think we could do two deployments one weekend?  Let me make a few calls and we’ll see if we can get at least a couple carloads to Connecticut…”

***

Fast forward two weeks.

There was sheer electricity in the air as not one, but two buses idled outside the Republican National Committee at 8 pm on Friday, ready to deploy more than 100 volunteers for the weekend!  Friends greeted one another with high fives and hugs, waving Fire Pelosi signs wildly in anticipation.  Election Committee Chairs Brittny McKinney and Janelle Hervig directed traffic and checked members of the energy-infused crowd off the list.  The last minute addition to the deployment schedule had evolved into a 52-person operation, thanks to some heavy lifting and swift action from the DCYR Exec Board, the YRNF leadership and our friends up in the Great State of Connecticut.   Spirits remained high as the buses pulled off in opposite directions along the East Coast. 

Saturday morning volunteers were given VIP reception from Linda McMahon for Senate and Dan Debicella for Congress staff members.  The looks on their faces were priceless as they gawked at the hoard of volunteers pouring into the room by fives and tens. 

“I mean, I know you said you were bringing 50, but man --- that’s a lot of people,” one campaign manager exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement. “You guys are serious!”

Future Congressman Dan Debicella also caught the bug of excitement upon entering the room full of YR’s.  A former YR himself, Dan is currently now pitted against liberal incumbent Jim Himes in CT-4, one of the most hotly contested races in a year of nail-biters.  After circling the room to greet workers and pose for pictures, Dan delivered sincere words of thanks, praise and motivation to the small army before him.  Mere moments after his departure, former WWE- businesswoman-turned-Senate-candidate Linda McMahon arrived on the scene to continue the rally of the troops, smile for the camera, and autograph a few photos before hitting the road. 

It was just the boost we needed before gearing up with plenty of candidate and Fire Pelosi gear and hitting the ‘hoods to knock doors.  The Connecticut Campaign Crew dispersed into walk groups and descended upon the streets of Connecticut’s 4^th District with a vengeance.  Operation Take Back the Majority:  Connecticut was in full swing. 

After a long day of door-to-door the crew filtered wearily back to HQ one carload at a time, still in good spirits.  Some had braved large dogs and security gates, others climbed steep hills, fished dropped keys out of the sewer (Thank you, Finch Fulton!), and somehow managed to suffer the long walks through picturesque New England neighborhoods at the height of the fall foliage season.  And even after a late start volunteers managed to hit more than 5,000 doors on Saturday alone.

After a satisfying meal, the troops rallied and gathered to celebrate a good day’s work at a local watering hole.  Norwalk, all I can say is: You’re Welcome.  While Katie Barth won the locals’ hearts with her baseball fanaticism, Andres Escobar schooled everyone with his hip-hop moves, and Ken Lynch celebrated his 24^th birthday.  The Connecticut Campaign Crew did so much more than knock our way through some doors; we just might have danced a few holes into the floors! 

Sunday morning and it was back to all business for our hard-working crew.  By the time we gathered back at the hotel for lunch it was almost time to say goodbye to our newfound Northeastern friends.  After much fanfare and expression of gratitude, we once again piled on the bus to make our way back home to the good ol’ D of C. 

At the weekend’s close, our efforts resulted in more than 8,000 voter contacts, countless new friends and memories, and the ultimate satisfaction of a job well done.  The exhausted crew caught a few moments of hard-earned sleep on the road.  For many of us, it all started back again on Monday. 

Just a few more days, folks.  But we’re not done yet and we’re not content to simply get there – we want to sprint full-force across that finish line.  Then perhaps we can put our deployment squad to better use moving Mrs. Pelosi’s things out of the Speaker’s office. 

And after that, on to 2012.  Who’s with me?