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Area Dems, GOP work elections differently
floyd campaign
Unsuccessful Republican candidate for Liberty County Sheriff Mark Floyd (left) stands with supporters outside the Dorchester polling place Tuesday. - photo by Photo by Joe Parker, Jr.
Tuesday was a day of contrasts for the two major political parties in Liberty County.
More than 100 local Democratic supporters volunteered at the Liberty County Democratic headquarters yesterday "doing what's necessary," according to Karen Jemison, in support for local candidates and the party's presidential candidate.
For Republicans, county Chairman Ted Harris said they had pretty much written the county off.
"We put out signs earlier, but not real campaigning," he said. "I voted for McCain early and feel pretty good about that."
He and Vice Chairman Roger Wells also went on WGML Radio to encourage people to vote and promote GOP Candidates.
On the Democratic side, besides signs, buttons and T-shirts, the final push included announcements on the local radio station and aout five campaigners out Monday evening waving to traffic on South Main Street.
Volunteers, some out as early as 6:30 a.m. shuttled more than 40 people to the polls, served as monitors at the different polls around the county and manned headquarters.
Jemison said the local campaign has been a long process, but noticed it was different from past campaigns.
"All the enthusiasm of the volunteers have made all the efforts so easy," Jemison said. Everybody was willing and so dedicated to the cause."
Also at the headquarters Election Day, State Rep. Al Williams agreed and said he has not seen anything like this race in 45 years.
"The enthusiasm it's obvious people are ready for a change," Williams said. "It's not going to be easy to undo what the Republicans have done in eight years, but we're going to try."
Jemison thinks the 2008 election was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
An African-American in such a closely contested race shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is becoming a reality, according to Jemison.
"To me, it's a moment in a lifetime that we've worked for and we'll never experience again," Jemison said. "The world has come together for him (Obama)."
Harris, who is also African-American said he was happy with the turnout was high. But, he said, he worried the enthusiasm may be misplaced.
"We have so many first time voters who may not fully understand our system. I hope we donít end up cutting off our noses to spite our faces."
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