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Updated: 3:06 PM Nov 3, 2009
Republican Efforts on Election Day Eve
Harrisonburg, Va. Campaign volunteers are busy trying to convince people to show up to at the polls. Posted: 6:48 PM Nov 2, 2009Reporter: Michael Hyland Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com |
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Campaign volunteers are busy trying to convince people to show up to at the polls. From phone calls to knocks at your door, political activists still have a lot to do.
Republicans running in statewide races enjoy double-digit leads, according to a poll released Sunday by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Bob McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds by 12 points in the gubernatorial race. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) leads Jody Wagner by 13 points. Meanwhile, State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) leads Del. Steve Shannon (D) by 14 points in the attorney general race.
McDonnell is telling supporters not to get comfortable.
Those supporters, including Andrew Jones, have a lot of calls to make to potential voters in the campaign's final hours. Jones says it's an important part of getting McDonnell and other Republicans elected.
"I think the more I do, the better chance [McDonnell] has of winning," says Jones.
Jones has been volunteering in the Harrisonburg campaign office 60 hours per week.
"When we have a really good chance, we have a lot more people coming in and saying, 'Well, it's really more exciting this year.' People always want to help out," says Jones.
Jones says polls favoring the Republican ticket have given other volunteers a big morale boost after losses in 2008. He says it's a different feeling in the campaign office compared to last year.
Jones says, "I think it's just more exciting for people."
In Elkton, a couple Republican supporters spent their Monday afternoon reminding people to vote.
Jessica Schneider says she's taking a more active role than she did in 2008.
"This year, I figure, is more important because last year, it seemed to me to be a sure thing. What's different this time, is who is in the White House and what's been happening since he's been in the White House," says Schneider.
McDonnell has spent much of the race talking about national issues, which has energized voters like Schneider.
"Generally speaking, if you think you can change something, you'll be out there working for it," says Schneider.
So, she and Jones will work to convince voters their guy is the right pick.
"I just think they're ready to take Virginia back and be red again," says Jones.
