I just called the Kerry campaign and I'm pissed

[bigtree]

that some folks here think that calling and berating volunteers with backseat strategizing that amounts to little more than carping (you think they haven't already heard their share of gum-flappers?), is going to get them a gush of gratitude. One poster says that he calls every day with his complaint. That effort could be better served.

How about we show some gratitude to those who have offered their time and efforts to our nominee's campaign? I read one comment that suggested that 'they' get paid so they have an obligation to respond to us. Many work without pay and many work long, hard hours.

Next time folks call the Kerry camp to complain, I hope they would be more understanding of those there who are just as anxious to change the leadership in Washington as we are.

Here's a good source for daily releases from the Kerry-Edwards campaign: http://releases.usnewswire.com/

Good luck to all of us.

[troublemaker]

1. Amen. Why don't these folks tie up the Republican phones for a while?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. That's actually a good idea.

excellent in fact. Accuse Bush of avoiding the issues and threaten to not vote for him unless he talks about the issues.

[Dookus]

2. thanks

I can't think of a stupider thing to do than tie up campaign volunteers and campaign resources with back-seat driving complaints.

[goodhue]

3. I couldn't agree more.

Put down the phone and get out the vote.

[MrBenchley]

4. Agreed

Whatever you do, don't call up Chimpy's hotline and pretend to be a really slow, really stupid Bush supporter, who lost his job and can't give any money but wants to compliment Bush for the way he attacks black people and gay people....

That would be wrong, as a Republican president once said....

[John_H]

6. Absolutely. Plus, if actual real-world circumstances do not give them

a hint that it might be time to make a few changes, what makes anyone think a few calls will?

[atreides1]

7. OK

Just so that I'm clear on this, we should adopt the Republican method of dealing with those in the Democratic party who want to carp. So unless we have something nice to say we should not call and we should jump on those that want to carp.

Sort of like how the we in the US are constantly told by the current administration that things in Iraq are just fine, we should not question, we should not carp, we should only go along to get along.

What party was this again? I was under the impression that we somehow were different, we were inclusive, we listened to all voices within this party. Did that change?

People have the right to make their feelings and thoughts known, and volunteers know this, and they realize that they have to deal with it. We should not be using Republican tactics or talking points and
silence those who think that their suggestions may help.

How many here have told your boss to go pound sand when he/she made a suggestion about how to change things. Did you do it to their faces, or did you mumble under your breath, me I offer an alternative, and make it seem like it was his idea.

So instead of attacking another member, try to offer an alternative idea, and see if you can't sort of softly push him/her in another direction.

That way we don't alienate a fellow supporter, and perhaps even take some of the strain off of a volunteer doing phone duty.

[bigtree]

8. Write a letter

to the campaign or to any receptive outlet.

Also, the republican crap is laughable. You can obviously do whatever carping pleases you. I don't have to like it, and I will speak up. That's the other side of freedom.

[atreides1]

10. I Have

Written letters and I've sent e-mails too, but I don't tell others that they can't complain. I may not like what people like you have to say but I will not deny your right to say it.

And like you I will speak up in defense of those who have another point of view whether you like it or not.

That's what freedom is all about.

[bigtree]

11. Who said you couldn't complain? That's a slick defense, an old defense

Speak your mind from here to midnight and then complain that I want to take away your right to be heard. I don't have any control at all over that. I do, however, have my right to disagree with the badgering of campaign workers by folks who claim to be on our candidate's side. I do have the right to defend our candidate against unreasonable, uninformed slurs, such as the false assertion that Kerry hasn't responded forcefully. Kerry's efforts will never be enough for some folks, but I do expect the criticisms to be informed and substantive and not just episodic, demoralizing venting.

[bigtree]

9. Hello, Kerry campaign? Do you have the number to the Bush Campaign?

I want to call and complain!

[JohnKleeb]

12. hah thats genius

I got an idea though, complain that Bush isnt running right enough.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

13. 703.647.2700

[graywarrior]

15. I just sent a letter to Kerry

My WWII dad was insulted along with thousands of other vets and it woke me up last night, so I wrote a letter. I feel better now.

[bigtree]

17. I think letters have more of a potential for a considerate hearing

especially the heartfelt, respectful ones. Sounds like yours fits that.

[zulchzulu]

14. To the backseat complainers: GET YOUR FAT ASS DOWN TO THE KERRY HQ!

Stop bitching and start pitching in. There is plenty to do.

[graywarrior]

16. Yes! This is motivation to work for Kerry