If there's one thing that could turn me into a repuke...

[KamaAina]

...it's a telemarketing phone call on Memorial Day from someone working for the Kerry campaign.

Yeah, yeah, I know, it happened to be the last day of the month. That FEC report is much more important than my day off...

They'll get my money sooner, rather than later -- but if I pledge to that guy, they'll think, "Aha! This telemarketing stuff really works!" and pester every Dem in the country right up to November.

Thanks, but no thanks: I'll just go to the Kerry website when I am good and ready.

[displacedtexan]

1. Unfortunately, many volunteers have to work the phones on holidays...

and on weekends.

Be sure to contact the campaign and tell them you think it's not a good idea to call people on holidays. (I don't blame you. I would hate that, too.)

202-712-3000
202-712-3001 (fax)

[KamaAina]

4. It wasn't a volunteer...

...he mentioned some company called "GSI" (?) that was working for the DNC.

Even regular telemarketers usually lay off on holidays. Then again, this one was trying to get rid of Bush*, an urgent priority if ever there was one...

[rkc3]

2. Could be worse.

I got the call from the RNC yesterday asking if I approved of Bush's record thus far.

It was a short call after I mentioned he wasn't doing a good job. I wish I had answered otherwise hear if there were more questions.

[namvet73]

3. I really don't mind...

When I donated money to the DNC and Kerry campaign, I expected mailings and possibly phone calls. We can't escape the fact that it takes money.
I see it as a comfort that the DNC and Kerry campaigners are hard at work.

Another reason I don't mind is that because I do not feel guilty about NOT giving anymore or giving at selected times in the campaign. Like most other people, our budget is limited. If I had more money to give, I would gladly do it. One of us is out of steady employment.

As far as the phone goes, my ringer has been off 99% of the time since telemarketers have barraged me with calls for the past decade. At one point it seemed to be up to a dozen calls per day. I signed up for the don't call list, which has reduced the number, but the few who do call are greeted with an answering machine.

I don't let the telephone put a leash on my time.

I got a couple of mailings from the repugs including an 8X10 of the Bush's. It was just a short walk to the wastebasket. The only thing that bothers me is that my 86 year old mother has that 8X10 hanging on her refrigerator door.

[namvet73]

5. Also..

The idea of booting out a theocratic dictator is worth the inconveniences. At no other time in my life have I felt it so important to oust a president than I do now.

[Imalittleteapot]

6. I always tell telemarketers that I contribute

online - which I do. I've had several calls from the Kerry camp in the past few months. Each and every time I was able to honestly claim that I had just donated via the internet.

I don't mind the calls from Dems, it's the pukes that make me angry.

[coloradodem2005]

7. My take.

I was just let go from a job like that. I went into it because I agreed with the cause but after 6 weeks my attitude was deteriorating. I will usually be a lot nicer to fundraisers (unless they are calling for the Republican party.) The thing is I am an introvert and cannot deal with hostility. I didn't feel I had a choice. I don't always agree with their methods.


On another note, the reason that the DNC et. al. uses these companies to solicit contributions is because it saves them money that they can put to other use. Just the other side from someone who was there and got emotionally drained from it.

[Eric J in MN]

8. What's the big deal?

If you didn't want to take phone calls on Memorial Day, you could have let your answering machine get it.

If you picked up and didn't feel like talking to the telemarketer, you could have just said, "sorry, I'm busy and can't talk right now" and hung up.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. I got a call from the Kerry campaign thanking me for my donation and

asked me for more money. I told them I was unable (true), but if I choose to give more, I would do so online, which is how I prefer to give. If I got a call from the Repukes, I'd probably laugh ridiculously and hang up!?

[JI7]

10. THAT could turn you into a repuke ?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

11. Getting a call for more money from the Kerry campaign? No way!

I was polite.

[KamaAina]

12. Of course not. I just really, really despise telemarketers.

Now, if they were to pay me a trillion bucks, on the other hand...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1215375&mesg_id=1215404

:-)

[flaminbats]

13. At least democrats don't bite the hands which feed them...

Republican telemarketers ravenously beg for money and then screw these contributers in return.

[coloradodem2005]

14. One thing to understand.

most telemarketers are there because they don't have a choice.

[Democat]

15. If Kerry doesn't act, he gets attacked, when he does act, he gets attacked

It's not easy being Blue. :)

[saracat]

16. Great post!

[AlinPA]

17. Phone calls to local republicans by Bush* crowd during PA primary

asking them to vote for Specter and the incumbent house rep pissed off a lot of them. I have heard local republicans say they would not vote for any republican because of that. I just hope we don't see Dems use telemarketing.

[PATRICK]

18. I wish I had some control

over the mailings an e-mailings AND phone calls so that I can find the time to concentrate on part of them that I can do something about and save them a lot of redundant wasted effort and money.

Tell me they stop when you max the contribution limit and volunteer 24/7 till November! I need something to hope for.

Seriously I feel worse that so much effort is being wasted on me, but I suppose it could be worse for the callers with the Free Republic list.

Also, I told one, that out of paranoid policy I don't like giving on the phone, but I like the control of the net. I hope people will get a thick skin for a few months and try mentally writing off any inconvenience as the work of dastardly GOP imitators.

[beyurslf]

19. I have never understood the problem with getting a marketing

call from anyone. First, don't answer if you dont want to talk. Hell, answer and hang right up if you have to. Put the phone on silent. Let it go to an ansering machine. Check claler ID. Answer and say NO. Answer and say you are busy. What's the big deal? it is a phone call and doesn't have to take more than 30 seconds of your life. Surely it won't drive you into insanity.