The longest and most expensive presidential election in United States history is almost over.
But first, brace yourself for the next 36 hours of honking horns, long lines, robo- calls, last-second mailers, intersections overflowing with sign wavers that slow traffic and, yes, a final television and radio ad blitz.
The campaigns of Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama have swarmed Colorado, one of the last remaining battleground states. And while many people have voted early, just as many have not. As a result, Coloradans can expect to be deluged by last-minute get-out-the-vote activities.
McCain running mate Sarah Palin will be in Colorado Springs today, and Obama’s wife, Michelle, will hold a rally in Littleton.
In addition, the McCain campaign is running nearly nonstop phone banks, where it has microtargeted voters for months leading up to Election Day. As a result, staffers know who has voted and who hasn’t, said spokesman Tom Kise. Not only will callers urge voters to get to the polls, they will offer rides to people who need them and answer any questions voters have. Thousands of volunteers — many who have come from out of state to help — will go door-to-door asking people to vote.
And the effort is statewide. Although there are many Republican-leaning counties in Colorado, McCain’s campaign is reaching out everywhere.
“We are targeting the person, not the ZIP code,” Kise said.
The Obama campaign also is canvassing the state. It has “tens of thousands” of volunteers walking in their own neighborhoods, talking to undecided voters and people they think may support Obama.
“We are covering every corner of the state,” said Stephanie Mueller, communications director for Obama’s Colorado campaign. “You can’t just focus on a few counties. We are running exactly the same program on the Western Slope as we are in Denver.”
Mueller said the campaign is sending buses to a number of college campuses in the state to transport students to the polls. And volunteers are ready to provide free rides to anyone who needs them.
Karen E. Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
Voting help
Colorado secretary of state website: www.sos.state.co.us
Denver Elections Division: 720-913-8683
John McCain campaign: 303-952-4670 or
Barack Obama campaign: 877-260-8868 or
