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First of all I developed my own technique. I used to be a stripper for many years and besides dancing on stage a big portion of my $$$ came from talking men into buying me outrageously priced Seven-Up. I came up with off the wall intro comments and questions that helped to get my tit in the door so to speak.
I do not use a list or a script. I do not bother people at home or call them on the telephone. I do however target a heavily democratic and liberal base.
I profile. I choose my subjects based on race, gender, age (youth), hip/arty/urbaneness and income. I approach African Americans, gays, hip secular youth and unmarried women out on the street.
I interact, motivate and register. And I use humor to get my opening.
I walk around on my lunch break, I do it while waiting for my carryout order, I do it in parking lots and bus stops. I walk up to people with voter registration forms in hand and say "excuse me, are you with us on Nov. 2 to send that man back to Texas." I get about 98% affirmative responses. I get lots of grins and chuckles. I get a few people who say it does not matter, a couple that have blown me off (skateboarders), only 2 have said they are voting for Bush. (I did give the last one a lot to think about when I told him the Army War College said going into Iraq was a mistake. I get lots of people who say they are definitely voting for Kerry.
I believe people will remember our encounters because I have used humor, asked them for help (support our team) and because I am not boring them with survey questions. One middle-aged black man today said he wasn't going to vote because it would not make a difference. We argued back and forth and as I left him, I smiled and said, "But I bet you remember we had this conversation and come Nov. 2 you might just vote." He smiled and nodded.
Think outside the box and get your groove on. You don't need no list. Just do it. It's fun.
Rosebud
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