A Republican Spat in My Face Today Because I'm A Democrat

[Carrie Jones]

I know this is all about Obama and YA, but since I'm a YA author and I'm a Dem, I'm hoping this is okay to post here, because, I seriously have had the worst day ever.

I'm running for political office (just a little one -- in Maine -- the state legislature) so I go around to doors to introduce myself and find out what's happening in people's lives and their needs and their stories, because I don't think you should be a state legislator unless you know what people need and want and feel.

Anyway, that's not the point. The point is that today I went to a house and the man put down his chainsaw ( I kid you not) and I gave him my material and said who I was and that I was running.

He looked at the card and said, "What party are you?"

And I said, "I'm a Democrat."

And he stepped up to where he was three inches away from my face and shouted, "Get out of my NAUGHTY WORD driveway you NAUGHTY WORD democrat. You've NAUGHTY WORDED everything up."

Then he spat in my face. It went in my nostril. Seriously. I now have the worst case of cooties ever.

Plus, you know, the shakes.

Oh, he also threw my brochure at me. It hit me in the head. I used it to wipe away the spittle.

Do any of you guys have any volunteering/canvassing stories? I'm feeling pretty darn vulnerable at the moment so I would love to hear them. Or maybe I'm the only YA author/reader here who makes people spit.

[Pamela Ross]

First: I love you.
I am sorry your honor was sullied by this sub-moron.
And now I have to ask you: do you have a local police station you can visit?
If I were you, I would.
Make a complaint for unlawful touching. Assault. Battery.
I am tired of looking the other way, Carrie.
This story is making ME spit... Spit BLOOD.

They are running scared. Scared of losing power and control.
You have the lawful and legal right to make a complaint.
I know you don't want/ love confrontations
but his actions were shock and awe to your system
and he must not get away with his transgressions.
Spitting and tossing brochures at someone is NOT an act of free speech.

-Pamela, wishing I could wash away your hurt

[Carrie Jones]

Thanks, Pamela Ross. You are too nice. No spitting blood, okay?

I'm not too cool with the spitting either, but I can't even begin to imagine the craziness that would occur if I filed a report. Our paper publishes the police logs.

[Amy]

Carrie, I am so sorry to hear this.
I wish people could rise above this hateful thing. It's so ugly.

[Carrie Jones]

It was amazing to see. It was like the Incredible Hulk transformation... just watching this man go from calm (sort of) to absolutely enraged in less than five seconds.

[Genevieve]

I have a few stories. I've been working for the Democratic Party in California registering people to vote (I get paid for it, it's my job). In January (gearing up for the CA primaries), a team of us were chosen to work in a very Republican county, with a military base near by. About 4 out of 5 people I talked to were Republican. I sat in front of stores asking people if they were registered. Almost everyday, I had a lot of people that were verbally abusive towards me. Many people called me names and tried to get me to fight with them. A few people have threatened my life,and those times I had to pack up my stuff and go into the store and speak to the manager. Now I get to work in my own town (it's mostly blue) but I get called a 'Communist' weekly and people tend to make false judgments about me because I am voting for Obama. I've never had anyone that was physically violent with me, or spit in my face.

My boyfriend (he does door to door as well as tabling) has had more people that were violent towards him. Just the other day, someone chased him off their front porch with a broom (smacking him with it) and shouting at him "Get off my lawn you effing communist!" over and over.

I've heard a lot of stories about people who don't agree with our party. Some one once told me that they had a gun pulled on them because their sign said "Democrats Register to Vote Here".

[Carrie Jones]

That's horrifying. I am so sorry that happens to you and your boyfriend. I'm very proud of you guys for still going out there.

[Jo Knowles]

OMG!

Carrie, how AWFUL!

I'm just glad he didn't use his chainsaw. Please tell me you did not break the rule and go alone!

Well, it is a sad day. But you are a brave woman and I'm proud of you for doing something that is so out of your comfort zone. You would be the best rep ever! And Chainsaw Man needs help.

xoxoxo

Jo

[Carrie Jones]

Thanks, Jo.

[Melissa Francis]

Oh no. that's awful. It makes me sick to think that anyone could be abusive toward someone who holds an opposing view.

I haven't had anything like that happen to me. I did have my Obama yard sign vandalized last night. But thankfully, no face-to-face aggressiveness.

[Carrie Jones]

Thanks, Melissa. I am so sorry about your yard sign. They are a hot commodity up here. Everyone is trying to get one... well, all the Dems are at least.

[shmaller]

You had your Obama sign vandalized? What cowards!

[Christina]

This is appalling! It's completely understandable how shaken up you must have been about it. I don't think I'll ever be able to understand the mentality of people whose gut reaction is to act this way toward other human beings. You did nothing to him but introduce yourself!

Not to mention, I wonder if he would have reacted this same way had you been a man? Or would he have been inclined to a more violence form of assault?

Shivers. I'm sorry, Carrie. I hope this doesn't discourage you from giving your candidacy your all!