When I visited the morning market in Alexandria - I met a number of campaigners who were part of this last weekend's push to get out the vote. There were a number of stalls at different parts of the market. I asked two campaigners why they were out at an early hour on a - refreshingly cool - Saturday morning.
Democrats
Republicans
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Early Voting
Many states now allow voters to "vote absentee in person", sometimes referred to as "early voting". In Virginia this is permitted if there is a valid reason why a person might not be able to turn up to vote on election day. More details of the Virginia rules can be found at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Absentee_Voting/Index.html. Other states do not require a reason - and as in the United Kingdom - absentee voting is a right (In Britain this can only be achieved by voting by post or by voting by proxy).
This morning I went to the farmers market in the old town of Alexandria. I recorded this video at 8.30 am.
This morning I went to the farmers market in the old town of Alexandria. I recorded this video at 8.30 am.
The Week Ahead
It's election week - yes the Glenrothes by-election is on Thursday (for more information on the constitutency; candidates and the recent history see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenrothes_by-election,_2008). Can the Labour Party hold this once safe seat?
Of course it's also - finally - Election Day in the USA. The final push is now on - so it will be a busy weekend for political activists around the country.
In Parliament, both Houses work on as normal. The calendar is available at http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/2008/11/03/week.html. On Tuesday the order which will bring the local and European elections together on the same day will be considered by the Lords.
Of course it's also - finally - Election Day in the USA. The final push is now on - so it will be a busy weekend for political activists around the country.
In Parliament, both Houses work on as normal. The calendar is available at http://services.parliament.uk/calendar/2008/11/03/week.html. On Tuesday the order which will bring the local and European elections together on the same day will be considered by the Lords.
06.00 Mount Vernon Virginia
A friend drew my attention to the following quote which appeared in the current edition of the local library newsletter - "Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?" ~ Henry Ward Beecher. As I was in the Borders store in Pentagon City yesterday afternoon I can confirm the truth of this. I bought a copy "Change We Can Believe In" - Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise. There were so many books about the election and the various candidates (I already have every book written by both Obama and McCain).
On my way back to the home of my friends - I stopped at the table set up by the Democrats at Huntington Metro. In fact there were tables set up at every Metro station I went to! This morning we are off to the Farmers' Market in Alexandria - and I'm told a heavy political presence is expected.
Yesterday I spent time ringing up undecided or infrequent voters - still a success rate (that is - actually talking to the person rather than their answering service) of one in six. When I did get through responses were very positive for Obama - I even signed up volunteers - which in years of 'telephone canvassing' in the UK has only happened once - it happened 3 times yesterday!
On my way back to the home of my friends - I stopped at the table set up by the Democrats at Huntington Metro. In fact there were tables set up at every Metro station I went to! This morning we are off to the Farmers' Market in Alexandria - and I'm told a heavy political presence is expected.
Yesterday I spent time ringing up undecided or infrequent voters - still a success rate (that is - actually talking to the person rather than their answering service) of one in six. When I did get through responses were very positive for Obama - I even signed up volunteers - which in years of 'telephone canvassing' in the UK has only happened once - it happened 3 times yesterday!
DECC
One of the most important changes made to the structure of Government in Gordon Brown's recent reshuffle was the establishment of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. It was created out of BERR (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) - which had its Energy Group and DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) - where the Climate Change Group was established.The new Secretary of State is Ed Miliband (brother of the Foreign Secretary) - http://www.decc.gov.uk/about-decc/who-are-we/ministers/miliband/biography.htm. He is supported by two Ministers of State - Mike O'Brien MP http://www.decc.gov.uk/about-decc/who-are-we/ministers/obrien/biography.htm and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (who also has responsibilities within the remaining parts of DEFRA) http://www.decc.gov.uk/about-decc/who-are-we/ministers/hunt/biography.htm. Joan Ruddock is the fourth Minister in the new department, being the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. http://www.decc.gov.uk/about-decc/who-are-we/ministers/ruddock/biography.htm
The Department's new website is still in the early stages of development, but can be accessed at
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