»Neighborhood Activism in Northfield

All across the country, the Leave No Voter Behind campaign is bringing new people into the political process. Just as importantly, however, it’s bringing back people who were involved in the past. Take Precinct Leader Bardwell Smith, for example, local notable and community activist in the town of Northfield, MN, who was a delegate to the state DFL convention in 1968, but has not worked on a campaign since. “This is the most important election of my lifetime,” he told me today, “Think of the environment, the Supreme Court, the War in Iraq.”

After 35 years teaching at Carleton College, Bardwell retired in 1995, and since then has helped to co-found the Northfield Development Corporation, in addition to assisting in other community projects. “Everyone in town knows Bardwell,” MoveOn PAC organizer Rachel Salper says, “I’m always excited to tell other people in Northfield that Bardwell is working on our campaign.”

Perhaps his reputation has contributed to his success, but Bardwell gives all of the credit away. “I’ve got a great team,” he says. Together he and his thirteen-member volunteer team have already talked with over 200 people in town, and have developed strategies for reaching the students who live on and around the Carleton campus.

Not surprisingly, given his community involvements, Bardwell is a huge supporter of MoveOn PAC’s neighbor-to-neighbor organizing strategy. He and his team are finding Kerry supporters in areas they thought were Bush territory, and motivating infrequent voters in other parts of their precinct as well.

“This administration is malicious, duplicitous, and unwilling to listen to criticism,” Bardwell says, “We need to ensure that George Bush is defeated this year.”