What It's Like to Live in PA Right Now

While watching the Eagles game tonight, there were back to back opposing political advertisements.  One for John McCain.  One for Barack Obama.  This did not surprise me because I live in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.  In the past week or so, I've received many politically motivated calls and knocks on my door reminding me to vote and confirming my support for my party's candidate.  I've even been called by former president Bill Clinton, the governor of Pennsylvania, and a few other big wigs.

I feel so important.

Living outside of Philadelphia seems pretty good these days.  The Phillies won the World Series.  My alma mater, Penn State, is enjoying an undefeated football season for the first time in many years.

And then there's the election.  My neighborhood has an equal amount of signs for each candidate.  An indication of what the entire state looks like.

I listened to the NPR podcast of This American Life earlier last week titled: Ground Game.  It was all about the fight for Pennsylvania's electoral votes and how the foot soldiers make a difference for their candidate.

Talk about wildly different, opposing sides.  It really doesn't get any more contentious than right here in my state.  With two, big, liberal cities on either side and a lot of small towns in the middle, you get it all.

I remember being shocked to find that many of my fellow Penn Staters went to public schools where reciting the Lord's Prayer was part of the morning's announcements.  And, although you'd think that a big university was mostly liberal, it was actually quite conservative.  Unfortunately, this also meant racist as the NPR program shows.

I live close enough to Philadelphia to identify with the city as my own, but also far enough way for my town to be separate.  Right here we have people with vastly opposing views.  There is a Planned Parenthood office one block from my house where at least one protester has been camped out daily.  My friends complain about the war in Iraq and the disgrace of the Bush presidency, hoping for an Obama win, while my parents and many others stick with their Republican candidate.  Our newspaper prints letters from both sides, pretty evenly.

People who live in other states that are clearly leaning one way or another do not get this much attention.

Even though it is nice to feel so important, I will be glad when this election is over, as I am sure most people will be.

It's been nice talking to you, Bill, really, but we've got sports to watch.  And, as for our teams, that is something this state can agree on.

Comments

[Niksmom]

Ooh,it's like being the popular girl that all the guys want to ask to the dance, huh? LOL

I think it's more evenly split ina lot ofplaces than people would imagine. And, frankly, that's what scares me and reassres me all at once. It's what this country is built on —that diversity of thought and belief. The pendulum swings both ways but I sure wish it would stick a bit closer to the middle in terms of the economy!

[floating in space]

Living with a die-hard Phillies fan who also is a dorky political science teacher has been draining. I will be glad when all of this is over so I can get my husband back.

[Patty]

I don't think Illinois is as evenly split, at least not this smallish town in Illinois. I am sure Chicago is primarily Democrat (it always was growing up) but the town I now live in is super conservative and Christian, and while I am a Christian, I don't really subscribe to the type of born-again fervor many people here do. I can't tell you how many people spout off misinformation in the name of religion. One friend seriously told me that Planned Parenthood purposely gives out defective condoms so more people will have to get abortions. Totally crazy stuff. I just wish more people would really check out the facts...

[InTheFastLane]

Indiana seems to be equally split right now as well. I think the big city numbers (for Indiana, anyway), may just push the state to vote opposite of its history.

Now, back to sports.

[Kyla]

I can't imagine what it is like you for! I'll be glad when it is all done and over, too.

[kristen]

Sometimes Long Island feels like the 51st state to me. New York is a blue state, but trust me, this island, she is Red with a capital R. When we were out trick or treating, I was shocked to see so many McCain/Palin lawn signs, I commented to my (very) liberal girlfriend, and she shook her head and said, "See, this is why I don't think it's a done deal."

[Jordan]

Nice summary of life in a battleground state. I hope your candidate does as well as your teams!!