Canvassing key battleground state, Ohio, St. Clair County Romney-Ryan campaign chair Grace Bush proudly poses with who she hopes is the next Vice President of the United States of America, Paul Ryan.

Early voting is a fairly new concept in Ohio and one that was detrimental to McCain’s 2008 campaign.

On Election Day in November 2008, McCain won Ohio, but overall did not take the state due to early voting.

To ensure that doesn’t happen in the 2012 election, over 100 Alabama Battleground Patriots (ABPs) embarked on a 12-hour bus ride to encourage fellow Republicans to support the Romney/Ryan ticket.

Bus seats were filled with military personnel (both active and retired, as well as military spouses), stay-at-home moms, staffers of Congressmen, legislators for the great state of Alabama, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) directors and students (to name a few).

Instructed by local Ohio Republican Party volunteers, Dan Henneissen advised the ABPs to speak from the heart.

“Just be personal and real with them,” said Henneissen. “This is about voter education and defeating Barack Obama.”

Leaving the ABPs with some last words of encouragement, Henneissen added, “Today we’re going to win this election.”

St. Clair County was well represented as Ellen Tanner, Director of the St. Clair County EMA, and Grace Bush, St. Clair County’s Romney/Ryan campaign chair and Republican National Convention delegate, knocked on over 400 Dayton, Ohio doors.

“Working door-to-door is the perfect thing to do if you have a passion in your heart about the future of our country,” said Tanner. “It’s demanding on you physically and challenges you mentally.”

Meeting people from all walks of life, Tanner and Bush encountered an elderly man whose story stayed close to their hearts.

“An elderly man with his dog answered the door very calmly. When he found out the subject of our visit he wanted to talk,” said Tanner. “He picked up his small dog, stepped on his porch with us and spoke of his 40 year military career.”

Describing what Tanner called a strong man with his heart broken, she said the man seemed as if he might cry.

“He told us he was in disbelief at the dismantling of our strong military, our economy in despair, our freedoms being trampled on and our very national security threatened,” Tanner said.

Trying to soothe the man, both Tanner and Bush thanked him for his service.

“He was sincerely troubled. He just wanted Romney to win and do his best to fix the wrongs in our country,” said Tanner.

Tanner said this type visit held a recurring theme as they soldiered on going door-to-door.

“We met retired men and women who lived in the day of a beloved America. They are hurting, not only financially, but hurting in their hearts for the America they want to rise again,” said Tanner. “They have put their hope in Romney and Ryan.”

Hopeful for what a Romney/Ryan presidency/vice presidency would bring, Tanner and Bush met an interesting group of men.

“They were a fourth generation of men that all vote together on Election Day and always have their picture made,” Tanner said.

When asked if they’d like a Romney/Ryan yard sign, they eagerly replied, “Yes!”

Alabama residents from Boaz to Birmingham caught the bus either at Briarwood or in Huntsville at the Space & Rocket Center.

On the bus from Birmingham was retired federal judge Stuart Foss.

Foss walked with Sandy Garvey of Congressman Mo Brooks’ staff. During the second day of canvassing the weather in Dayton, Ohio was what the bleakest, coldest; most wet winter day in Alabama feels like.

The paperwork “walkers” had to fill out as they collected data from door-to-door was a nightmare to keep in order as the rain made it difficult to process.

While Foss and Garvey collected their thoughts and Garvey returned a few phone calls, they took refuge on an Ohioan’s porch.

Only there for a mere matter of minutes, they gathered their belongings and headed to the next house.

About 15 minutes later the pair was approached by a police car saying they received a complaint about them “camping out” at the house.

Spotted on a surveillance camera at said home, Foss and Garvey explained why they had stopped at the home.

“After complying with his request for us to produce our drivers licenses, which he checked out, he left with some comment about unauthorized soliciting,” said Foss. “At some point I told him I was a retired federal judge, and that we were not violating any law that I was aware of. As a rule, absent a ‘No Solicitation’ or ‘No Trespassing’ sign, there is an implied permission to enter property for a legitimate purpose such as a protected First Amendment right like political canvassing.”

Later, Foss and Garvey heard their incident was reported to Township officials and the officer was reprimanded for harassing them.

“We also learned the police union is actively Democrat,” said Foss.

Pleasantries did occur for Foss.

Donning a Cleveland Indians hat, Foss went out canvassing. Chatting with a new Ohio acquaintance, the man asked if he was an Indians fan. Foss told him he followed them when he and his wife lived in Cleveland from 2006 to 2010.

The man told him, “I have something for you,” and returned with a Cleveland Indians jacket.

“The jacket was exactly my size, and he insisted I accept it,” said Foss. “His gift was both unexpected and a complete surprise. I accepted it with a promise to write him a thank you note on my return to Alabama.”

While canvassing with Jeffrey McDaniel from Montevallo, they met a homeowner on their list who was Democrat and voting for Obama.

After learning they were from Alabama, he asked if they knew where Linden, AL was and McDaniel was well acquainted with the area.

“We spent the next 10 minutes talking with him about our state like three neighbors, without any political discourse,” said Foss. “As my father used to say, ‘Good will is never a waste of time.’”

ABP canvassers were even out dispelling rumors as John Martin and his walking partner left one house; the person came out saying, “Do you want to know what I just heard on the Today show? They said Obama campaigners are out going door-to-door in Ohio and Romney’s camp is not because they’re relying on momentum.”

Martin laughed before saying, “Now you know the truth.”

Canvassing was done from Thursday morning until Saturday night with the trip culminating at a rally with Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan.

Embarking on an hour-long bus ride to East Clinton High School, Romney/Ryan supporters packed the gymnasium full.

Signs saying, “Fight Back Vote Republican,” “We Need A Real Recovery,” and a child holding a sign that read, “Ohio Win For Me,” were seen throughout the rally.

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, Ohio Senator Bob Peterson and former NFL Offensive Tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals Anthony Munoz energized the crowd before Ryan took the stage.

Taylor’s 18-year-old son is voting for the first time in this election.

She told the crowd, “This generation gets it.”

Munoz spoke to the audience as a small business owner, father and non-profit leader.

“I’m concerned to have the same thing happen over the next four years,” said Munoz. “We need a president that connects with people who has a great mind to implement a plan to get this country on track. We’re on the same team and have to unite.”

Munoz went on to say he wants to wake up on November 7 proud that Ohio did what it needed to do.

Ryan took command of the stage as an AC/DC song played, and the crowd cheered.

Thanking the citizens of Ohio for their support, he detailed what the Romney Ryan administration will do once in office.

“We need leadership. We have specific ideas and solutions to fix these problems,” said Ryan. “The Obama campaign is using stale statistics to scare voters. Ohio’s not going to fall for it, is it?”

To that the crowd chanted, “U-S-A.”

Ryan said that a Romney Ryan administration will provide job security for workers to get them back on their path to pursuing their American dreams.

He said they will have education reform where Americans in their 40s and 50s can develop other skills that are able to get them back on their feet again.

Ryan said they would grow more and sell it overseas to make more money. He then added he and Governor Romney would stop spending money the country doesn’t have.

“This is the largest government and the biggest debt since World War II,” said Ryan. “Mitt Romney and I will not run away from our problems and blame everyone else, we will be anchored and rooted in our founding principles. That is our moral obligation.”

Calling Ohio “the” battleground state of the battleground states, Ryan said Ohioans have a unique responsibility on their hands.

“You’ve been in this position before,” said Ryan. “It’s about deciding the kind of people we’re going to be. Americans did not get that promise of hope and change. It’s time for a better path. We understand America is a land of opportunity and believe in the mission of our Founding Fathers and want to improve the lives of the American people.”

Collectively canvassing approximately 20,000 Dayton, Ohio voters in three days, the ABPs felt their time in Ohio had been well spent.

“After serving as delegate at the National Convention, attending the ABP Ohio trip and being St. Clair County’s Romney Ryan campaign chair, I am confident we are in for a big win after seeing and speaking with folks in Ohio,” said Bush.

 Tanner added, “People are tired of constant battles. We need a leader who can bring people together.”

Educate yourself before heading to the polls Tuesday, November 6.