He joined a conference call via satellite phone from his airplane and was truly inspiring. Yes, I saw him with 28,000 others at Asheville High School three weeks ago, but this time, the group was much smaller and more selective.
The senator called to thank and encourage his campaign staff, but mainly us volunteer leaders. It was because of us, he said, that we had a campaign-record 4,500 people knocking on doors today in 300 staging locations across the state, allowing us to compete in every corner of what since 1976 has been a Republican state.
Then he sounded like Coach Knute Rockne:
"I want you guys to leave it all on the field," he said. "If we can win North Carolina, then we're going to win this election."
This is something that was initially pointed out by NBC's Chuck Todd several weeks ago but which Rachel Maddow reiterated on her Friday show. Assuming Obama-Biden wins Pennsylvania, McCain-Palin will have to win ALL -- not just some, but ALL -- of the "toss-up" states of Nevada, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.
What that means in Republican-controlled Henderson County is that we don't have to win the county. We very well could, considering even though there is only a 26 percent Democrat minority here, Democrats and unaffiliated voters exceed the number of Republicans, and John Kerry won 35 percent four years ago. But as my staging location's canvassing captain, I told my foot patrol that we have the chance to make history right here in Henderson County!
It all gives me cold chills, teary eyes and the whole emotional bit. It's impossible to describe the feeling that finally, after so many dreams coming up just short, this one is within reach. Nine more days of work, fellow volunteers, and we will see the fruits of our labors!
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