I'm Having a FRUSTRATED Moment.

[IdaBriggs]

And I need some support. Maybe I need a whack upside the head, too. Sigh.

So, let's start with the facts: I'm an Independent. I despise the ground Wrong Way walks on, and I didn't vote for him in 2000. I'm a social liberal, a fiscal conservative, and a woman with Very Strong Opinions. I volunteered to help the Kerry campaign, and am a "precinct captain" working to "get out the vote."

Yesterday I got "into it" with both my county people AND my state people about the importance of BUMPER STICKERS. Turns out the Michigan folks only bought 100,000 bumper stickers for the state, and the way the money is distributed means they aren't buying any more. They have made decisions on spending money, and since I am a novice at this stuff, good people are disagreeing. I think a perception of support via bumper stickers (and yard signs later, since its probably too early to put them out) is a good thing; they think having STAFF available to "get out the vote" is better. I see the merits of both positions, and (politely) pointed out that selling a candidate requires REPETITION; that Bush as the incumbent has name recognition because he has been in the papers, and on radio/television every single day for the last four years, while Kerry has only been the candidate for the last FOUR MONTHS. (I know about Kerry because I pay attention; a surprisingly large number don't.) Two different people quoted some old saw about "democrats knocking on doors to get out the vote, while republicans BUY them," to which I responded by pointing out that republicans currently control the presidency, the house and the senate, so maybe we should LEARN something from them? (This was NOT appreciated by the experts.)

The bottom line ended up with me buying 10,000 bumper stickers for Oakland County with the caveat they can't sell them, but must give them away. I'm going to try to figure out some kind of fund raiser to cover the costs before my husband shoots me, but at least the initial problem is being solved -- I want a freaking bumper sticker given to every single "definitely Kerry" supporter we can get our hands on!!!

So, now my second battle, and here is where I'm banging my head on the wall. I asked what our local Democratic party people were going to do in honor of 9/11, to which the reply was NOTHING, because they don't want to politicize it! I replied back, "9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11 -- I have recited Rudolph Giuliani's speech to the Republican National Convention, which was shown on National Television. The subtext was, "we care, we'll keep you safe, and the Democrats won't." Its already political!" The "resources better spent" line was tossed out, which I was able to dismantle pretty quickly (it will take about four hours to do the basic event planning -- hello! I've got it mapped out already!), but the bottom line is They Don't Want To Do It Because It Would Politicize 9/11.

My answer back is that doing an event like I want -- 4 (different) religious speakers, a recitation of the names of our dead from 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq, and a final religious homily -- would make the point that 9/11 & the War on Terror DO NOT BELONG TO ANY PARTY, but apparently having the democrats sponsor it just strikes people as "wrong." My talking points were: 9/11 and the War on Terror are NOT partisan issues. We will not discuss our opinions of how well President Bush has protected this country, because today, we are simply remembering our dead.

My guys don't want to do it as a matter of principal, and I got more than a little rude with one of them (said I thought sometimes they were TRYING to lose). I've since apologized (hope he accepts it), but I AM GETTING SO FRUSTRATED. Am I being stupid about this 9/11 thing? Am I focusing too much on the national security perception? Can democrats do something like this without being accused of politicization? And for me, IT IS A POLITICAL ISSUE -- if Wrong Way had been doing his job, I don't think it would have happened in the first place, and my 1,000+ dead soldiers would still be alive....

Damn right its political. Its also a matter of freaking Life or Death. Or am I just being "dramatic?" HELP, please. I need some perspective on this....

[On the Road]

1. The Bumper Sticker Thing is Important

Mailing bumper stickers to Kerry supporters is probably worth spending a little less on TV ads.

I remember a college election in which one candidate absolutely blanketed the campus with posters. He was not the best liked, but won in a landslide. This stuff has an effect.

On the Sep 11 thing, there's definitely a benefit in trying to recapture the issue, but it's difficult and time-consuming, it has to be done with just the right tone, and it reemphasizes Sep 11, which in itself tends to help Bush. (Even if it shouldn't.) I think the election can be won without it.

The campaign needs people like you and should listen more. It sounds as if too many people have a front-office mentality.

[chiburb]

2. I'm no strategist, but...

I don't really like your idea. Yes, I agree that 9/11 has already been politicized by the Repukes and we should somehow take back that day as an "American" event, not a Bushco photo-op. But here's the rub (for me):

You couldn't pay me to sit for 4 hours and listen to preachers read names of the dead. You couldn't pay me sit through that event for ONE hour.

So... how about this?

Invite the Repuke campaign to join YOUR campaign in a bipartisan "Day of Remembrance". Make it an open house that citizens can wander into, stay as long or as short as they like, but have your literature (and talking points) ready at the back of the room. Yep, the Pukes can have the same. But in the meantime, your Reverends can be giving sermons and prayers, your local musicians can be doing folk songs, your PTA can provide brownies or cookies, whatever...

The point is to show your local citizenry that 9/11 belongs to everyone, not just the Pukes.

[IdaBriggs]

3. I like that one.

Its short notice, but maybe....