By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The 2012 Presidential election hangs on the thinnest possible edge and everything hinges on which of the two campaigns is best able to identify its voters and motivate them to come out to the polls. Most of the nation is set in their presidential preferences. Polls show that Alabama will easily go into the Romney camp. Several large states are securely in the Obama camp. Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, and most especially….Ohio is where the fate of the nation will be determined. Polling shows that Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, and Colorado will most likely fall into the Romney camp. Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Michigan appear to be leaning towards President Obama. If there are no surprises that would have the election essentially tied at 243 electoral votes for reelecting President Obama to 244 electoral votes for electing Mitt Romney (R) with 270 electoral college votes needed to win. Of the remaining five states: Ohio is the biggest prize with 18 electoral votes
In an attempt to influence the Presidential election , the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party Bill Armistead and the Alabama Republican executive committee have formed the Alabama Battleground Patriots, Republican volunteers whom the party has sent into battleground states to knock on doors and campaign in those states where this election likely hinges.
Chairman Armistead announced that the Alabama Battleground Patriots deployed to Dayton, Ohio have knocked on over 20,000 doors in only three days. Over 100 Alabamians from central and north Alabama have traveled to Ohio by bus to campaign to make Mitt Romney the next President of the United States.
Chairman Armistead said in a written statement, “Let no one say that Alabama Republicans haven’t made a difference in this presidential election. We not only held the first ever Presidential Forum in Alabama back in March, but we are lending support to other states to ensure that Governor Romney wins this election. We felt certain that Romney would easily win Alabama, so we were determined to help in important swing states such as Florida and Ohio. We have sent nearly 200 volunteers to these two states and they are working directly with the Romney campaign, going door-to-door in neighborhoods to help turn out the vote on November 6th. Our Alabama Battleground Patriots made over 30,000 contacts in Ohio and Florida as they walked through many neighborhoods, seeking support for the Romney/Ryan team, and they got a terrific response. I am absolutely confident that our Alabama Battleground Patriots will have made a positive impact on the election of Governor Romney as our next President.”
Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks (R) from Huntsville said, “This is the most important election in my lifetime. We must replace Obama by electing Governor Romney, because the future of our nation depends upon it. We came here to do whatever we could to help and I believe we have delivered. It was my privilege to work beside my fellow Alabamians these last three days.” Despite facing a challenge from Huntsville Democrat Charles Hollie Congressman Brooks led the group of Patriots up to Ohio and worked alongside the other volunteers as they went door-to-door for Romney.
The group has had to endure some inclement weather. Battleground Patriot and Chairman of the Cullman Republican Party Ken Brown said, “We just put on a poncho and went out anyway. We were excited to come here and we got a great reception from the Romney staff. We’re tired, we’re sore, but we’re also satisfied.” Brown said that the volunteers would spend the evening at a Paul Ryan rally.
Former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Marty Connors said on Facebook, “Alabama Battleground Patriots organize in Dayton, Ohio. Led by Congressman Mo Brooks (Huntsville) about 100 assemble here and are dispatched to go door to door in separate locations in swing districts. According to the Romney field representative, nearly 8,000 doors were reached yesterday. Best line of the day? While the coordinator was training our group he said, “Feel free to discuss issues but for goodness sake don’t bring up the SEC!””
Chairman Armistead is predicting a Romney victory. “Our team will get a lot of satisfaction when they see the Romney/Ryan ticket win this Presidential election, knowing that they made a difference,” stated Armistead. No Republican has ever won the presidency of the United States without winning Ohio.
According to pollster Scott Rasmussen Ohio is tied at 48% to 48%, Wisconsin is tied at 49% to 49%, Iowa is tied at 48% to 48%, Romney leads in Virginia 50% to 48%, and Romney leads in New Hampshire 50% to 48%.
