Politics & Government
Democrats, Republicans, Rally Their Battleground Iowa Bases for Final Get Out the Vote Pushes
Republican and Democratic leaders were racing across the battleground state of Iowa on Monday to rally activists making final pushes to turnout voters.
For rank-and-file activists across Iowa, Election Day began early.
It began in living rooms like Rod Sullivan's, an Iowa City Democrat who was among President Barack Obama's earliest supporters in Iowa dating back to 2006.
"This is more than an election to us. It's a personal matter," Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky told about 20 Obama supporters gathered at Sullivan's home on Monday - Election Eve.
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She was pepping up the troops for a final push, a 12-hour shift of door knocking, phone calls and passing out campaign material.
Republicans had a similar game plan on Monday.
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RNC Chairman Reince Priebus was a headliner among a group of Republican leaders traveling the state rallying volunteers in Cedar Rapids, Coralville and Davenport for get out the vote efforts.
“I’ve got a feeling that the people of Iowa want to set the record straight,” Priebus said in Davenport.
Dvorsky had been crossing the state, speaking to small groups like this, preparing for the grind to the finish line all weekend. And, it's not just about the presidential race.
Both parties are urging support for Iowa's four contested congressional races and races in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate, which could see a leadership change from Democrats to Republicans.
On Election Day, the get out the vote efforts will continue, until all the people on their rolls have voted, Dvorsky said. She is expecting record turnout.
"This will be quite the blow out," she said of voter turnout.
Romney and Obama camps express confidence about their chances on Monday. Republicans claim enthusiasm. Democrats claim a stronger ground game.
Gloria Pearson was among the volunteers at Sullivan's home.
The retired St. Cloud, MN-resident drove 400 miles south from a state that Obama has locked up to Iowa, which remains very much a toss up, to lend her support.
She's been here for a week staying, and her husband has been here for three weeks. They are staying with a friend of a friend in West Branch.
"We felt like this is where we were needed," she said.
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