Campaign signs blanket Elm Street, Manchester’s Main Street, often accompanied by volunteers shouting slogans. Most of the campaigns' state headquarters are located on or nearby Elm, making it the locus of campaign activity. Even just going about normal business doesn’t insulate you from the events. Matt and I had just ordered our lunch when former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his campaign chose our restaurant as the site for a meet and greet.
The building at 786 Elm is the headquarters of Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, where Michael Collins ’11, a Daily Princetonian staff photographer, is working through the Pace Civic Engagement Program. His job has kept him out of the cold; he's compiling maps for the volunteers who will be canvassing. He’s one of about 20 volunteers who work out of a two-room second-floor apartment. The restaurant below, which is known for hosting candidates who want to look just like regular people, is more of a draw than their small workplace.
It looks a bit like a sparse dorm room after another roommate has moved away. There are bits of trash on the floor and empty wall space where the staff hasn’t taped up campaign signs. One room has two mattresses sitting flush with the ground and a bunk bed. Guests sit on a bench seat that looks like it was taken from a car.
A large group of volunteers stood at the corner of Elm, chanting and waving their “Kucinich for President” signs. On the other side of the crossroad a smattering of Ron Paul and Hillary Clinton supporters gathered, while a McCain group marched back and forth on the other side of Elm Street. Cars drive through this election gauntlet and occasionally honk, drawing excited cheers.
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