The science of the canvass

SOMERSWORTH, N.H. –On the surface canvassing would appear to be a simple process. Walk up to a house, bang on the door, suck up whatever response you get, repeat.

But in New Hampshire it’s a science. Campaigns spend hours mulling over voter lists, creating maps, drawing diagrams, analyzing data. All to make sure the right doors are knocked on.

And the people tolerate it without much fanfare.

Saturday morning I found myself in Dover N.H., in a van with two state representatives, a Portland school board member and a lobbyist. I’m following this group of Mainers as they volunteer for John Edwards.

New Hampshire is a hub of political activity, a steep contrast to its Northern neighbor. Campaign signs litter every corner – and many snow-covered lawns.

The Edwards group left after receiving specific instructions from the Dover area regional field director. Don’t let an opponents’ sign in someone’s yard deter you. Don’t argue with someone who definitively supports Hillary Clinton. Don’t risk it with an angry pit bull, and don’t leave literature in mailboxes – that’s illegal – stick it in the door instead.

Once upon a time campaign workers mapped out all the routes by hand, pinpointing the houses of registered independents and Democrats. Now it’s all done by Google, far more convenient but often riddled with errors.

The van left the office. We dropped Reps. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn, and Marilyn Canavan, D-Waterville, off in one neighborhood, along with another supporter, and then headed to another.

For the two state lawmakers, this will be their first time canvassing for Edwards. During the van ride, which was plagued by wrong turns and confusing streets, the supporters talked about their preferred candidate.

Edwards has a long list of supporters within the Maine Legislature. Canavan praised him for never taking corporate money. Simpson praised him for his work on poverty.

“John Edwards has never forgotten his roots,” Canavan said.

I’m going to be following volunteer coordinator Kate Knox, a Portland lawyer and a lobbyist, and Lori Gramlich, who works for Fed-Ex and is a member of the Portland School Committee. I’m a silent, non-partisan observer.

We’re in a town called Somersworth, a middle-class neighborhood on the Maine border with old houses, narrow roads and barking dogs. We appear to be on the heels of Barack Obama canvassers, as many doors have his literature sticking out.

This is the second time the Edwards campaign has been through this neighborhood. If the first time the person gave them a definitive answer to whom they were supporting, they’d be left alone today. If they weren’t sure or weren’t home, they would be treated to a second visit.

Gramlich carried charts of the homes they were to visit, that detailed what happened last time a canvasser came around. With every house she made a record, NH – not home, RF – refused to talk, JRE – definitely with Edwards, Hillary – definitely with Hillary, not JRE – NOT John Edwards.

They would bring the records back to Edwards’ office to be added to the database.

Knox said she hasn’t had any bad experiences canvassing. New Hampshire residents are used to it, she said, and often appreciate the information.

No doors were slammed in our faces today, either.

Many weren’t home. Some didn’t come to the door, but were clearly home. Knox and Gramlich made it a point to write a short note on a campaign flier to every person they missed.

“Just that little something makes a difference,” Gramlich said.

A few people said their decision was “not Edwards.” Knox and Gramlich thanked them and left. Two people said they were definitive on Barack Obama. The two volunteers prodded the choice slightly, asking what the deciding factor was, but didn’t push.

The two explained that they were from Maine and made the trip because they believe in Edwards’ message. They touted his views on helping the middle class, and his refusal to take money from big corporations.

The impression they leave on people is how they’ll perceive Edwards, so it’s important to always be nice, Knox said.

“It’s a fine line between bothering people and trying to advance your candidate,” Knox said, as she reloaded her packet with brochures from the trunk of the van filled with literature.

No one we encountered vouched for Hillary, but one person who wasn’t home had a Hillary sign placed prominently on her door. They left a flier anyway.

“This is the most effective way to persuade voters,” Knox said.

Residents said that they have seen way more canvassers this year than in the past.

“I’ve never seen it this bad,” one woman said.

After hitting 30-some houses, Knox picked up Simpson and Canavan at a local Democratic headquarters. Back in the van, they said canvassing for Edwards was exactly the same as going door-to-door for their own campaigns.

“People are engaged in the same issues, health care, jobs, the environment,” Simpson said. “Even though people keep coming to the houses, people really want to make a thoughtful choice.”

After four hours of canvassing, none in the van could gauge where Edwards stood in New Hampshire. They will continue to canvas this afternoon, and some will come back Tuesday.