603, 503, whatever, just vote
By Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett
January 07, 2008
I got a call at home in Portland this morning, and the number on my Caller ID started with 603, which is the area code for New Hampshire, that quirky New England state where I lived more than 20 years ago. I pounced on the call, imagining some long-lost friend on the other end – the ideal distraction from actually working.
Me: (excitedly): Hi!
Stern Female Voice: Hello. I'm calling from the Clinton campaign. Will you be voting for Hillary Clinton tomorrow?
Me: Well, I won't be voting tomorrow, because ...
Stern Female: (urgently) Oh, it's crucial that you participate in this important primary because ...
Me (more urgently): No, wait, it isn't that, I just ...
Stern Female: ... this vote gives you a voice in a time of ...
Me (loudly): OK, listen, first, I don't give out information about who I vote for and second, I won't be voting tomorrow because I don't ...
Stern Female: Fine. That's your right. (Click.)
Getting hung up on by a Clinton volunteer would have been unsettling enough, but then I couldn't get a dial tone for the next two hours. Coincidence? Hmmm. You can be sure of one thing, from now until Wednesday morning, I'm not answering any calls from 603.