Well, the BushBots showed up on my own doorstep Sunday afternoon.

[VolcanoJen]

It was relatively uneventful, but since we love these kinds of stories around here, I thought I'd share.

Minding my own business on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I heard the doorbell ring and immediately thought "Shit! Leave me alone, whoever you are! It's my damned day off!" Nevertheless, I walked to the door and opened it, expecting family or friends.

I was greeted instead by a young girl, maybe 13 at the most, and her father, I assume. They smiled, were friendly, and said they were here to ask for my support of President George W. Bush's reelection. The youngster was on the stoop, her father loomed in the background. Interesting tactic.

It's times like these when you wish you had a script, an idea, something really amazing to say. But it was so unexpected, that I found myself at a loss for words. I took the literature she shoved in my hand, flipped it over a few times. The young girl held her smile and gaze, waiting for my response.

I probably grimaced while looking at the photo of George and Laura, because the child's expression started to change. I smiled, as best I could, handed the literature back to her, and said, "You've knocked on the wrong door. I don't support Bush's election, and I don't support his presidency. We're a Kerry/Edwards household, through-and-through. Thanks, though."

That's when dad swept into action. He looked angry, came up to the stoop, grabbed his daughter's hand, glared at me and said "Well!! I guess we're wasting our time with this woman!" He practically yanked her right down my front steps. I felt for the kid. He turned back to me, and said, of all things "Thanks indeed!! THANKS A LOT!!" He was clearly angry, and red-faced.

I smiled at him and said, "You should mind your Ohio manners, neighbor. I admire that you're out there supporting your guy. I'm just not on your side."

WAIT FOR IT... WAIT FOR IT...

As he dragged his once-smiling daughter to the sidewalk, he yelled back "Gore LOST! Get over it!!!"

I burst into laughter, said, "That's an odd response. Have a good day, it really is beautiful outside, isn't it?" He didn't look back, and I quietly shut my door.

And there it is... my first experience with door-to-door BushBots. It could have been worse... but I'm not sure it could have been weirder. :D

[eyesroll]

1. You did well!

He was trying to get a rise out of you, maybe show his daughter how angry and deranged those libruls are...

[calico1]

17. What a jerk.

Did he think you OWED him support for Bush? Poor kid. I am glad you were polite to her. Its not her fault. What a terrible example that dad is. I hate seeing adults use kids like this.

[Joe Turner]

20. Kudos to you.

You handled that BushBot with supreme class. One can often get a good indication of how well a campaign is doing by the demeanor of those who do the door to door work. Apparently all is not well in Bush Land. LOL.

Also, I was struck by the clear lack of professionalism of this character. The cardinal rule of politics is that you don't sway people to your point of view by yelling at them. Like I said on another thread, many of the seasoned campaigners of Bush's 2000 campaign have left the Bush Camp in disgust.

It appears that the Bush is left to scraping the bottom of the barrel for their local efforts.

[VolcanoJen]

23. Welcome to DU, Joe Turner!

Thanks for your kudos. I think I could have done better, but there's no way in hell I'm going to start a political debate on the issues with a 13 year-old girl. It's just wrong.

I was surprised by her father, because when I've canvassed for political purposes, the training has apparently been much more effective. You never get angry, you never yell, you never engage yourself. You smile, you pass on the info, you walk away and knock on the next door.

[Joe Turner]

40. Thanks Jen

I really like what I see here on DU.

"I think I could have done better, but there's no way in hell I'm going to start a political debate on the issues with a 13 year-old girl. It's just wrong."

You did great. That was truly an amateurish stunt the guy pulled with having his daughter do his work. If this is indicative of how the Bush Operatives are running their campaign nationally they are in deep trouble. These tactics only lose votes.

"I was surprised by her father, because when I've canvassed for political purposes, the training has apparently been much more effective. You never get angry, you never yell, you never engage yourself. You smile, you pass on the info, you walk away and knock on the next door."

I've done similar work and that's how we were trained also. The character that you encountered is the same kind of Abrasive Bush Worshipping Zealots that proliferate on Free Republic and I'd lay odds that he posts there. One can only hope that this is the face the Bush handlers want to show the American Public...LOL.

If Kerry/Edwards take the fight to the Bush Goons and NEVER let-up in exposing the truth about this God Awful administration they will win. The voters across America want a change in leadership.

[VolcanoJen]

45. Great analysis and insight, Joe!

I hope you're posting here for a long time to come.

Welcome home!!

:D

[Norquist Nemesis]

70. Welcome to DU Joe!

Were you really a FR (per your profile)?

Glad to have you posting with us and providing insight/opinions and 'kudos' compliments. :) :hi:

[KurtNYC]

2. Great!

Loved I don't support Bush's election, -- dropping the errant "re"

You did great!

[VolcanoJen]

5. Oh, I couldn't BEAR to legitimize his presidency...

... by authorizing the use of the word "reelection."

I hope they got it as quickly as you did, Kurt... I have a feeling that's why he yelled "GORE LOST!"

:D

[volosong]

76. The Name "Bots"

You did great. And I especially love the name "Bushbots."

I associate the name with "bots," which are a parasitic worm that infests horses. They contract the parasites by eating forage contaminated with infected feces.

Do you suppose that Bushies become BushBots by ingesting GWB'S political shit?

[faithnotgreed]

3. good story. theres lots to choose from but my particular favorite

is when he says that gore lost.

now WHAT might that have to do with anything
hmmm

good on ya and your "ohio manners"

[maxsolomon]

4. why i left ohio:

there are no bushbots in seattle.

immmediately outside the city limits, sure. but inside its running 80% kerry. throw in nadir, and its 85%.

[VolcanoJen]

16. Oh, wow! You were a Buckeye in your previous life?

You know what I'm dealing with, maxsolomon. It really is different out here, isn't it?

Jealous,
JenJen :D

[TransitJohn]

38. Try Wyoming

if you want to see true madness. At least you're a "swing state" w/ a chance of your electoral votes going dem.

[Maeve]

43. That's what you get for living in Cin City!

:P
Come up further north where the river fumes don't get to people so much.
:hi:
Good job, btw.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. yeah, pretty weird

I hope that guy reacts the same way to everyone he meets who doesn't support Bush. He'll put a few fence sitters strongly in our camp that way.

"Gore LOST! Get over it!!!" is really the best he could do. Wow.

[DaveSZ]

9. Here's what I'd say:

"No, I believe in the Constitution."

[hobbit709]

65. bushbots

I recently got a phone call from the "Republican Issues Poll".
My response was that the only issue I had with the Republicans was that they weren't hanging them fast enough.
They hung up on me

[hippiegranny]

7. way to think on your feet!

I'm not sure I'd have done so well, given the element of suprise. That poor, poor child... :(

[VolcanoJen]

12. Thanks... I think I could have done better, of course.

I was incredibly surprised and taken aback, of course. Many, many times I run through such scenarios in my mind, but it finally happened, and I was at a loss for really clever words.

The fact that his daughter was there really made me want to be neighborly, pleasant, nice. I do wonder, from her father's reaction, if I was the first person they'd encountered that responded with something other than, "OK, thanks." You know?

I did leave out the part where her father was carrying an armful of Bush/Cheney 2004 lawn signs. I guess if my reaction had been more gleeful, they would have offered to put it in my lawn. After they were long gone, I looked up and down the street and noticed about four new signs in yards. :eyes:

[T Bone]

58. Or, be nice, ask for lots of their literature to pass out to other voters

and then go dump it in the trash can. It would make the little girl feel nice. But I would have to say something too.

[spooky3]

25. I totally agree--you did great! The poor kid is being abused.

[Droopy]

8. You probably did better than I could have

I would have been cordial such as yourself to the girl, but I don't know that I would have been able to keep my cool after the old man lost his head. What a crappy example to set for his daughter.

[JohnnyRingo]

10. Hahahaha...You call that uneventful ?

...I would have paid to been there.
I don't think I've ever MET a real freeper, and you had one knock on your door ?
I would've been laughing out loud, save for the poor kid who probably had to go home and listen to a rereading of "Traitors" by Ann Coulter.

[patdem]

11. Good for you!!! He might be raising a Democrat inadvertently???

You held your cool, he did not! Good for you!

[VolcanoJen]

13. Well, I took the "manners" line right out of John Edwards' mouth.

I was so impressed when Edwards confronted the Angry BushBots in Missouri. Asking for a midwesterners "manners" means something out here. It means a lot here, and I'm sure it got to him.

From John Edwards' mouth to my ears... it was the only thing that came to mind, on a beautiful, sunny, cool Ohio mid-summer afternoon.

:D

[kath]

29. What did Edwards say to the Angry Bushbots in Missouri?

(haven't been following news of the campaign stops very closely. thanks.)

[VolcanoJen]

48. Here ya go, Kath!

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/32-08082004-344841.html

Later, when the chants persisted, he sought to enlist the aid of Democrats in the crowd. "We would never shout down our opponents when they are speaking would we?" he said.

Still later, Edwards was pledging to take steps to limit the outsourcing of jobs overseas, and there was more booing.

"Are you guys really booing the outsourcing of jobs and doing something about it?" Edwards said with a smile.

That provoked more noise, and he said:

"My children are on this train. Show me some good Missouri manners if you don't mind."

[lunarboy13]

14. I think you just recruited a young democrat....

While I'm sure the young girl is heavily influenced by her father, what happened on your doorstep is going to play out in her mind for years to come. At some point, when her father's reign over her is not so strong, she's going to see a stark contrast between her father's actions and your actions that day.

The rudeness of her father and his subsequent loss of temper will serve as the image of conservative politics in her mind.

Sometimes the best rebuttal is a smile.

[VolcanoJen]

18. The best rebuttal is *almost* always a smile.

In this situation, I think it's the best response. I peacefully resisted their attempts to warp my brain.

You're right that the young girl will remember that moment for a long time to come. When I was her age, and exploring my own political feelings, I did tend to lean Dem, mostly because, well, they were cooler, and nicer. :-)

I'm slightly disturbed that the father sent his child to knock on my door, as if it were Halloween.

[mrboba1]

19. I have to agree with this statement.

Sometimes the strangest things stick out in one's mind and stay with them forever - and they especially occur when one encounters an act that goes against what that person has thought (or been taught to think) prior to that moment.
That may very well be a defining moment in that girl's life.

Way to go original VolcanoJen!

[Jacobin]

15. Ah yes.....the sound of desperation from the BushBots

I've been waiting for this and it's sweet to watch them twist in the wind and listen to them snarl...they know the chimpster is going down.

Great story!!

[West Coast Democrat]

21. I would have kindly asked....

who's that man with you, and why can't he speak for himself?

[Ganja Ninja]

22. Good thing they didn't come to my house.

I might have borrowed a line from the Blues Brothers. "How much for the little girl?" B-)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

24. How typical nt

[Kukesa]

26. Lava Lady at a "loss for words?"

I find that difficult believe.

You did beautifully, Jen. I attribute YOUR "Ohio manners" to your stellar upbringing and I don't mind if I do accept some of that credit.

[VolcanoJen]

31. Well, you know me. And I didn't really want ANYONE knocking on the door..

.. on my lazy Sunday afternoon. I was so busy watching the Olympics that I even avoided the usual Sunday morning political talkies!

The "manners" comment had parked itself in my brain since John Edwards gave Missouri hecklers a hard time about their own behavior, and it found its way out of my mouth through the use of instinct. That guy had turned nasty, and since he was knocking, uninvited, on my door in my neighborhood, I thought it entirely fair to pick on his civility. :-)

And, of course, we Midwesterners are awfully polite, aren't we?? Thanks for raising me here... it's not that bad, we're pretty nice people, and I can deal with the BushBots by throwing my Buckeye nature right back in their face, I suppose! :D

[moondust]

27. He obviously can't get over it.

Probably because Gore actually won and his subconscious knows it leading to deep inner conflict. Ayup.

[Joe Chi Minh]

34. Getting over it..

Sorry, Buzzz. I'e just spotted your post, which is much more succinct.

[Walt Starr]

28. That was a tactic of the door to door religion salesmen a few years back

It stopped when I started ansering the door shirtless so all of my tattoos were visible to the younguns.

[VolcanoJen]

30. Now THAT'S a story, Walt!

Please spill the beans. :D

[Walt Starr]

35. LOL, the local Jehovah's Witnesses always sent their teenage daughters

to my door to try and convert me. I thnk they had me marked as a single male in some database at the time (we're talking between 8 and 10 years ago).

Just like clockwork every week on Tuesday morning after I got off a night shift, another Jehovah's Witness family wisent their teenage daughters up to my door.

It finally ended when I opened the door shirtless. Daddy was back a ways and saw all of my pentacles, pentacle tattoos (Goddes and God symbols, etc.), not to mention the Tribal tattoos and the naked fairy and mermaid.

That was the last visit I ever received from a Jehovah's Witness.

[sandnsea]

39. A friend tells them

"Gee, the Catholics always send pretty girls." (Not that I've ever had a Catholic at my door) I don't think he'd say that to a teenager though... or maybe he's the reason you have pretty girls at your door, they stole his idea!

[Kukesa]

41. That's so funny! n/t

[Bernardo de La Paz]

46. I only got very rare JW visits because I always debate evolution. . . . nt

[VolcanoJen]

50. That's one rockin' story, Walt!

Thank you for sharing it, and thanks especially for the hilarious visuals!!

:D :D :D

[kiahzero]

72. Even better, if you know anyone involved in theater

One of my friends at school was working on making a corpse for a production. At the time, this particular fake corpse was missing a head, and covered in fake blood.

So, the door rings, and she answers the door, with fake blood on her hands and a realistic-looking beheaded body in the background. The Jehovah's Witness looks inside the door, screams, and runs away.

Soon after, she got a friendly visit from the police - it seems that the poor proselytizer thought she had run across a murderer. My friend and the police got a good laugh out of it. And she hasn't been visited by any missionaries lately.

[Joe Chi Minh]

32. Upside down, back to front, topsy-turvy Republican prism

Well, VolcanoJen, I hope that if you were to lose to the Republicans, fair and square, you *would* get over it quickly; and not be so disappointed, angry and bitter as to steal the presidency. That would be too bad...

[mbee]

33. Gee, I'd say from his reaction that maybe a few more doors than

yours aren't supporters of the little chimp!

[Lavender Brown]

36. Why did he knock on YOUR door and then act like you attacked him?

I just don't get these people! :wtf: :argh:

[oasis]

37. "Gore lost, get over it"??? DESPERADO you'd better come to your senses.

:nopity: They are grasping at straws.

[LiberalManiacfromOC]

42. Great story!

I always love the reaction you get from them. The "GORE LOST!" had me rolling on the floor.

[jburton]

44. They're probably not used to being polite

Sounds like the Bush* camp picked up this guy from in front of a Planned Parenthood, where he brings his daughter to watch him hassle clinic patients.

[in_cog_ni_to]

47. Hehehe!

SEE!!!! they cannot handle the truth. They implode. What the hell does Gore have to do with the fact that you are a Democrat and voting for Kerry/Edwards? NOTHING! Why would he get so angry just because you aren't supporting the idiot....like he is? What a FRUITCAKE!

WooHoo! Don'tcha just love pissin' off the sheeple? I Do! :bounce:

Great story! Thanks for the post!

[The River]

49. Never turn them away....

You had a perfect opportunity bring them into the light. Even if you can't convert them outright, at least you get a chance to sow the seeds self doubt. It's a little game I call: "Stump the Freeper"!

Pretend you are an un-committed voter. Tell them you are leaning toward voting republican but that you have a few questions you just can't figure out. If they take the bait,start asking your questions. Ask why * seems to have lied about WMD or why he says "x" but does "y" (the list is near endless).
Be sincere. Pretend to be more clueless than they are. When they start to offer up their reasons or excuses, don't argue the point. Just say "yes, I understand that and I agree Saddam was a bad man, etc,etc,etc, BUT, I still don't understand why he lied about_____". Always agree but always return to the original question.
One of 2 things will happen. You will either see a hint of self doubt in their eyes or they will become frustrated and/or abusive. If the former, you may have helped a fellow human evolve politically. You Win, They Win. If the latter, and they do get loud or abusive simply say, "Thats not a very Christian thing to say (or do) sir. When the Kerry people knocked on my door last week they answered all my questions and were so nice and polite!" "If this is the way typical republicans behave sir then I think you have helped me make up my mind. I think I WILL vote for the Democrats, they're nicer! Thank You for helping me decide!"
At this point you may want to have an umbrella (or leftover duct tape and plastic sheeting) handy in case their head explodes at the thought of helping "cause" a vote for Kerry. Game, set and match! You've just won another round of "Stump The Freeper"! Congrats!!!

This is the kind of political judo that Dem_Strat hinted at. If you can't convince them with the facts, let them choke on their own answers.
Rather than using their strengths against them, use their weakness' against them. What's their primary weakness? The most obvious is their inability engage in critical thinking. By playing dumber than them, you force them to actually think about answers to the questions you are asking.
If they start quoting Faux Spews or Flush simply say "yes, I've heard what they say but I don't trust the liberal media. I want to know what you think". Always ask them to tell you what they think, not what they've heard

Freepers, Fundies and all the rest are NOT stupid people. They
go to school and graduate just like "us". They hold jobs, get married and love their kids, just like "us". It isn't a lack of Gray matter or some evil gene in their DNA, it's just that they have never been given permission to ask questions or think about why things are they way they are. They are just as brainwashed as we were before we "woke up" and started asking "why?". Think of Freepers (and republicans in general) as teenagers who never had enough courage to question themselves (or authority figures) about anything they were told. Don't believe me? Take a moment to think about who you were and what you believed before you started asking "why?".

pax

P.S. Keep asking why?

[AngryOldDem]

51. Great Story!

Our neighbors told us a couple of 'em started to walk up our drive Saturday morning, but saw the Kerry sign in the window and Kerry sticker on the car and thought better of coming any closer.

Damn. And I was looking forward to a great debate with 'em, too.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

52. Awesome Story!

You did great, especially considering there was a 13-year-old right there!

:thumbsup:

DTH

[VolcanoJen]

54. Ya know, she's what kept me calm.

I have a funny feeling they know that, and anticipate the good in people, and that's why they're employing children to do the knocking on doors.

Pathetic, in a way, isn't it?

[yardwork]

62. Pathetic, yes. Reminds me of the oath-signing crowds

allowed to watch W these days. They only want positive feedback for their message. They don't want to engage with anyone in any discussion. Don't want to hear anything negative.

It's like a religious crusade. These people are crazy.

[Carni]

53. For not having a script or anything to say

I would certainly say you did well!

[cynatnite]

55. You've Got Class!

Excellent story, but I feel for that poor child.

He probably told his repuke buddies that you were a screaming and spitting liberal nut.

I do hope that repuke brainwashing doesn't stick in that poor girl's head.

Cyn:)

[democracy eh]

56. let them talk and talk

as long as you can stomach it

waste their precious time

[Toucano]

57. Good job!

And thanks for sharing the story.

[Neecy]

59. wow

He probably drags the kid along so people won't sic their dogs on him, or kick the crap out of him for his attitude.

Typical freeper coward, hiding behind a 13 year old girl. I love the parting shot about Gore - what a maroon!

[gauguin57]

60. This experience is going to fester inside that 13-year-old girl ...

... until she's a senior in high school, and decides she's had enough of the BushBot crap, and comes home wearing black lipstick and fingernail polish, with her body covered with tattoos of the Democratic Donkey, with her labia and nipples pierced, screaming, "Dad, you're an A**hole! You and the Bush family are a bunch of FASCISTS!"

[freesqueeze]

61. Bizarre, Sad, Pathetic, Loopy

I cringe when people use mind control on their own kids. I also wonder about these kids who are drug around by their parents at the Women's Clinic with giant bloody photos on their tiny t-shirts.

In a totally unrelated note, I saw Kerry shooting pool.

www.freesqueeze.com/kerry.htm

[Philostopher]

63. Y'know, you were nice to them.

I don't think I could resist saying what I've practiced for the possibility they'd hit my door, which is: "you got any coupons for a free frontal lobotomy in there with your leaflets? Because that's what it would take to get me to vote for that guy!"

I know it's not nice, and I wouldn't have said anything like it in front of a kid under the age of 15, probably.

The only canvassers we've had here so far have been from non-profits like labor organizations and environmental causes, though. It's funny, really -- I think I probably live in a pretty Republican neighborhood, though. Maybe they don't see it as a judicious use of their money.

[Egnever]

64. Hey at least you didnt just laugh in their face.

Thats what I probably would have done.

[TNMOM]

66. Good work volcanoJen

There's no sense in trying to reason with these people... I shared a cab ride with a total stranger once on a business trip in New York. On the way to the hotel, we got to talking politics. When she started spewing wingnut propaganda, I asked her to name one accomplishment that made the country better in the last four years. She was speechless...

[kwolf68]

67. Good job

Love these stories

I had one run-in about a month ago on the road some Repuke going crazy over my "W" with a cross thru it sticker. He was going off, flipped me off and then when we pulled to the light he was just yelling and screaming...as I could hear "commie, leave this nation if you don't like it, f*** this, bastard, f*** that." He never looked at me once...

I looked over to him and said, "God Bless America, hey?" That's when he rolled his window up.

I made sure he saw me LMAO as he drove off.

Since then however, my new sticker has been getting thumbs up from Dems, people beeping at me nodding their head...I think the Repukes know they have a first class dud on their hands and can't muster up the moxie to defend him.

[Elidor]

68. You are a class act, Jen.

Nicely said.

[Sugarbleus]

69. WoooHooo VJ, you did good....

I feel sorry for the child though. You got style: '..mind your Ohio manners...' hehe

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

71. What is really pathetic is, that because this guy sticks his daughter

out front to ring the bell, he expects that from this alone everyone will "be nice to the girl" and support shrub. :wtf: That's why he got so mad, he couldn't believe you would have the GALL to disappoint his little girl!

:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

It is really pathetic. I do agree with some of the other posters though. Over 10 and they are fairly intelligent and perceptive. What kind of conclusion can this girl draw about her father's behavior and what it reflects about the righteousness of his cause?

Unfortunately despite all this, most often brainwashing wins out. But we can only hope he is training up the next Democratic woman president.

[beam me up scotty]

73. Don't worry too much about the child. . .

First, great job on keeping calm. You would have only justified his cause to him if you ranted like him. <:toast:>

Second, I wouldn't worry too much about the child (although, the neocons of tomorrow are growing up today). I used to teach at a military Jr/High school in the rural south, and on parents' weekend, after meeting 1-4 "parents" per child, I would often think to myself, "the kid's not doing as bad as I thought--considering what s/he has to deal with at home." I think the little girl has a fighting chance.

Just my $.02.

[imax2268]

74. I just hope...

that one or two of them come to my door...!

I'm going to have some fun...

[NMDemDist2]

75. well Jen your mom needs to arm you with some Kerry signs ASAP

and you can hit up your neighborhood too :)

[Kukesa]

77. I'll do that, AZDem!

I'm hauling 100 yard signs around in my car right now.

Good idea!

[CandyCrim21]

78. I think its awesome

that you held your composure and didn't show how you really felt. If that had been my significant other. He probably would have gone off in an all out rant. And how dare him tag along his daughter, I think thats kind of spineless. With how rough this election season is going to get, "we'd appreciate your support" is almost like fightin words. I think you did great though. I hope I can follow your example in the future if I'm ever confronted with that. ;)

[Piperay]

79. You did GREAT

:yourock:

BWAHAHAHA...funny how they are still so sensitive and defensive about Gore, that's cause they know that he had more votes and it really bothers them, aw boo hoo. :cry: