Will you be phonebanking for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this year?

[jorgevlorgan]

Last edited Sat Aug 15, 2020, 05:00 PM - Edit history (2)

It is a hard thing to get used to: Cold calling strangers and potentially getting some negative responses. But I can assure it is worth it, and once you get the first 50 calls down, the next 1000 become cake. It's been a while since I've done much phone banking, and since working as an organizer for Obama in 2012, I haven't done a lot. However it does make an incredible difference. I saw places in 2016 that Trump had a substantial volunteer advantage to Clinton in some key states. If true, that might have made the difference (Maybe how he overcame a 6.5% polling deficit in Wisconsin). In fact, a 2008 study by 538 found that for every 10% marginal contact rate advantage a presidential candidate had in a given state, there was a 3% gain in actual votes. We need to make sure to out volunteer trump this year, and phone banking from home is the only way we can, now that the virus is keeping us locked down. So here's my question: Will you be phonebanking for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this year? You can get started as early as today or this weekend.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/contact-gap-proof-of-importance-of/


https://joebiden.com/make-calls-for-joe/


Thanks!

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	Yes, I will be phonebanking for Joe and Kamala before and on November 3!
	4 (100%)
	No, I will not be phonebanking for Joe and Kamala this year.
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[Takket]

1. Your poll says "volunteering" when I think you meant "phone banking"

Phone banking is not the only means of supporting a campaign.

[jorgevlorgan]

2. It kinda is right now.

It will make the biggest difference, anyways. Canvassing door to door is no longer an option due to COVID (right?), and hosting watch parties, etc is not a possibility. There are possibilities of hosting virtual volunteer events, etc, but all of that translates into getting people to do voter contact. Again, every 10% marginal advantage in voter contact translates into a 3% advantage in votes. Regardless of what the polls say, the candidate with the most volunteers and voter contacts, is the one that will win -just like the last 3 elections.

[still_one]

3. I did it for President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton, and am strongly considering doing it

for VP Biden/Senator Harris

The idea behind call banking, at least when I was involved, was to motivate people who were previously registered as Democrats to get out the vote. As the OP said there is a possibility to engage with hostile callers, but the idea is to avoid arguing with those callers, and move to the next one on the list.

It is to motivate people to get out and vote, and vote early if it is available in the state they are in

[jorgevlorgan]

10. Yes, absolutely!

We only have 11 weeks until November 3, and every call is incredibly valuable. Maybe consider this weekend? I will actually be getting started this weekend with my wife who is -like most of us, reluctant to have to talk to lots of strangers.

[former9thward]

4. You cite a 2008 study.

This is 2020 and very few people answer phone calls from strange numbers anymore. So you end up reading a script into the voicemail which is immediately deleted after the person has heard two words, if that. Campaigns like to have volunteers phone bank because they don't know what else to do with them. The age of licking stamps and stuffing envelopes is gone as machines have taken that over.

[jorgevlorgan]

5. I think leaving messages is a waste of time. The formula still works, but it will take a lot more

due to the reasons you gave before we actually reach anybody.

Actually campaigns have people phone bank because it works. Trump overcame a 6.5% deficit in Wisconsin, he also had a large advantage in voter contact which helped him make up that deficit. I was a field organizer in 2012: Campaigns actually hire people specifically to recruit people to phone bank and canvass targeted lists of voters, which was what my full time job 7 days a week was. It is also what people are hired to do today. It is still the way we will win.

[obamanut2012]

14. Yup, if I don't know the number, I never answer

You can tell within three seconds if it's a spam call or a political call or whatever. I delete.

[jorgevlorgan]

18. You'll be surprised how many people do actually answer their phone still

It is effective. Canvassing door to door is wayyy better, but that isn't an option anymore really :/

[Chainfire]

6. I serve the Democratic ticket the best as just sending money

I may be one of the worst salesmen who ever lived. Sometimes when I am telling God's own truth, I question my own veracity. When I was young, I worked on a local Sheriffs campaign, door to door, handing out literature and talking up the candidate. When I came to my mother's house, she cracked the door, saw who it was, and slammed it in my face. (well, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea)

[jorgevlorgan]

8. Hahaha. I'm sure you would do great if you made calls. Donating is obviously super important too.

But we didn't lose in 2016 because of a fuding disadvantage. We were actually quite out volunteered. Sir, if you can pull yourself into it, even with just a few calls: That would be extremely helpful to the cause regardless of how bad a salesman you think you are! (I'm sure you aren't that bad)

[Chainfire]

21. You just caused me to have an epiphany.

I should ring doorbells for the Trump campaign! It may make people question their red leaning tendencies.

[gibraltar72]

7. 8 weeks in already.

Would have been last night but had a medical procedure that went long. By the time I got home and situated shift was half over. It is rewarding even in red areas.

[jorgevlorgan]

9. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[northoftheborder]

11. I will be doing other things organized by our local Dem. party

Texting, post cards

My experience phone banking in the past was a big waste of time. Our VAN was way out of date, phones disconnected, people don't want to answer anonymous calls any more, many on list were Republicans, etc...

I'm told the lists are now updated, but I want to try some other ways to contact voters.

[jorgevlorgan]

12. I hope that you reconsider, and I'm sorry about not having the best time phonebanking before

Phonebanking is the most effective way to reach voters and will make the biggest difference. Also most campaign offices have the auto dialer now, so you all you do is wait for somebody to answer -which is pretty easy.

[obamanut2012]

15. It really isn't the most effective way

[jorgevlorgan]

16. It really is

As far as making a difference. Person to person contact has a direct impact on the actual election. Trump had the numbers in 2016 with voter outreach. If we take that advantage this year, we will win. I was a field organizer in 2012. Campaigns on both sides put big dollars into just getting people to phone bank (even paying people directly to do it when they cant get the volunteers). It makes the difference, and the numbers prove it.

[obamanut2012]

13. It is a waste of time and resources in 2020

[jorgevlorgan]

17. In 2016 trump won with a 6.5 point deficit in the polls

In Wisconsin. Multiple reports have shown far more people were contacted by up to 20 or 30 percent more by Trump's campaign than Clinton. Trump won Wisconsin by overcoming that deficit. For every 10 % marginal advantage in voter contact there is roughly a 3% advantage in votes. That has been proven over and over in election after election with every campaign that outperforms the other in voter contact. If we want to win, that's where we need to put in our time this year. Donating is great, but Clinton wasn't struggling with funds in 2016. It was the volunteers where she fell short. Targeted direct voter contact is the best way to win elections. And a proven way. It is one thing that the polls can never truly account for.

[Bobstandard]

19. It's fun! I dont use a script..

It’s true that you can dial and dial and not get to talk to anyone, but when you do it is a lot of fun. Sure some people hang up, but others are too polite to do so. I start many of my calls by saying something like, “hi, what’s the weather like where you are?” Or “Hi! I’m having a heck of a time with the tomatoes in my garden this year and was just wondering if everyone else is too?” Quotidian topics like that draw people in. After that, conversation flows and around the time it flags, you can get to the “please vote,” pitch. By then you’re a real human and they listen and hear you.

[jorgevlorgan]

20. I love it! I never thought of that on the phone

Only when canvassing on the street. I like your approach because it is treating people the same as if you were talking to them in person. Keep up the good work! Its folks like you that are going to bring in the victory for us!!!