Mary Bruns, Pam Miller and Ashley Massey have much in common. For the past several months, the three Sparks residents have spent much of their free time “canvassing” — campaigning by phone weeknights and door to door on weekends.

The early Jan. 19 Nevada caucus has caused a spike in political attention to the state from presidential hopefuls and the media. The importance placed on the results from the caucus has also prompted residents such as Bruns, Miller and Massey to knock on as many registered Democrat or nonpartisan doors as possible before Jan. 19.

Last Saturday, Massey, 21, had no intention of letting a little rain get in her way. The prior week's snow storm didn't stop her from knocking on doors, either.

"Canvassing is actually a lot of fun," Massey said as she hopped a mud puddle. The north end of 10th Street had almost become more water than road after only a half hour of rain. Massey said she had gotten mud all over her pants while putting up signs on another day. She then thought about her earlier statement.

"But I don't think I could do this for someone I didn't like."

Bruns shared a similar sentiment.

"I'm a Democrat through and through," she said. "But it's hard to do this if your heart's not in it."

As of now Massey’s and Brun’s hearts are definitely in it — just for different candidates. Bruns, 64, joined Sen. Barack Obama's campaign when she realized Sen. Hillary Clinton had a good chance of beating Edwards.

"And I don't think she can win in November and I can't have that," Bruns said, referring to a potential choice between Clinton and a Republican candidate.

Miller, 50, has liked Sen. Hillary Clinton since her days as first lady. Massey joined the Edwards campaign in June 2007, almost immediately after the Reno office opened, and has been canvassing ever since.

While they all are out to promote their respective candidates, they also are out to promote the caucus itself. Most often people will ask them about the time and location of the caucus and the process, not about any particular candidate.

In between houses, Massey explained her support for Edwards. She said he is the epitome of the American dream, proof that it can still be achieved.

"He grew up the son of a mill worker and worked his way to where he is now," she said. "He's definitely the most electable. He stands and speaks for just about everybody."

On this particular Saturday morning, Massey isn't having much luck speaking to anybody. Many of the residents whose door she knocked on sent her away before she even said a word.

"A lot of people think I'm selling something," Massey said. "Or that I want money. I get that a lot."

A few others listen momentarily before sending Massey on her way. But it's not necessarily Edwards they don't like — it's politics in general. One lady tells Massey she's sick of hearing about the caucus and seeing it all over the news. She added that she had no intention of participating in it. But this response doesn't hinder Massey's efforts.

There's been much more good responses than bad," she said. "Most people are excited about the caucus and about Nevada having a powerful voice."

Massey looked down at the next name and address on her list and continued on. Over near Mendive Middle School, Miller wasn't particularly having much luck either. Most people weren't home and the few who answered the door either were indifferent about the caucus or were against Clinton.

Retired Major General Paul Eaton, who was a commander in Iraq before retiring, joined Miller in canvassing for a half hour. Eaton endorsed Clinton in November and has been on the campaign trail ever since, going wherever Clinton headquarters tells him.

"Supporting Clinton was an easy choice," Eaton said. "The Republican Party is a disaster so I switched parties. Then I got to meet her. She's very warm and friendly. I don't understand where these reports of her being cold are coming from."

On the way to the next house, Eaton explained that most people find it atypical for someone who has served in the military for 30 years to support a woman for president.

"But gender has nothing to do with it," he said. "Soldiers love courageous leaders and they really love intelligent leaders. She has overcome so many personal challenges and is such a courageous woman. I absolutely endorse her."

Behind the next door was a woman whose facial expression showed displeasure at finding Clinton supporters on her doorstep. She then declared she had no intention of voting for Clinton in the caucus. In response to Eaton's inquiry as to why the distaste for Clinton, the woman simply said she just doesn't like her.

Eaton and Miller left the house a little dejected.

"I ask the question to assess the problem but if she can't articulate it then that tells me she got it from a media slur campaign conducted by Republicans," Eaton said. "It's not based on logic. She bought the party line; she bought what's on TV. It's a shame."

Soon Eaton left to promote Clinton elsewhere and Miller continued her canvassing. Miller explained that as a nurse, health care is an especially important issue for her. She still respects Clinton's failed attempt at getting universal health care when she was first lady.

"I know what an obstacle it was trying to get health care for everyone," Miller said. "Some Americans don't want to say health insurance is an inalienable right for everybody. After being a prenatal nurse for 15 years and seeing kids without insurance I've seen what it does to the family. I think the whole country would come around to wanting universal health care if they saw what I saw."

If you ask Bruns — who is also a nurse — Clinton's first lady record no longer applies.

"That's in the past," she said. "I agree that Hillary has a history of being for health care and back then I was out there with a sign that said 'Give them health, Hillary.' But, that's in the past."

Massey, who feels health care should be a right, said that it's Edwards who is the best option when it comes to health care.

"John has never taken money from the health industry so he only has to answer to the American people," Massey said.

Aside from health care, Obama is Bruns' candidate for every issue.

"I agree with everything he stands for," Bruns said. "He's so inclusive. I don't want this divisiveness to continue. He's just a breath of fresh air."

Unlike the other canvassers, today Bruns is visiting doors she's already knocked on. One of her first stops is the Kasum house. On her first visit, the Kasums were undecided but leaning toward Obama. Now, Bruns is greeted excitedly almost before she even knocked on the door.

"When we first saw you we were like, 'Who the hell is coming to the door?' But then we saw that it was Obama people," 17-year-old Lisa Kasum said. Lisa will be 18 by the November election so she is allowed to vote in the caucus. She and her boyfriend, Issa Beekun, 18, spotted Bruns' Barack Obama stickers on her coat as she approached the door.

From this reaction Bruns no longer needed to ask if they had made up their minds. Instead, she asked if the two and Lisa's mom, Bernardette, would like tickets to attend Obama's speech that was held Monday.

Would they ever.

The three then filled out support cards, which local campaign use to keep track of who plans on attending the caucus to vote for Obama. The Obama campaign gives each precinct captain a number of voters they think are needed to win each precinct. Bruns said a study has shown that a voter who signs a support card is 20 percent more likely to vote for that candidate than a voter who just says they are going to vote a certain way. Bruns said some days she goes up and down four streets without getting one support card. But this is a good day.

"I love that enthusiasm," Bruns said upon leaving the Kasum house with three support cards in her hand. "Jackpot."

After the Kasum house, Bruns went on to collect two more support cards. At the next house a woman tells Bruns she already has her vote before Bruns even said a word.

"People are so excited now," Bruns said. "The atmosphere has changed since Iowa."

Once inside her car, Bruns looked at the next address on the list. Without hesitating, she drove directly to it.

"I think I could deliver mail in this neighborhood now," Bruns joked.

Massey and Miller must feel the same way.