If you don't phone bank/precinct walk, why not? Seriously.

[AP]

I just posted a thread asking people how precinct walking/phone banking went today. I think 5 DU'ers replied.

So that leaves a lot who didn't phone bank or precinct walk.

Help me understand what's stopping you.

[Liberalboy]

1. I phone banked

for an hour on Saturday...

[Dookus]

2. two reasons

First, I really don't like bothering strangers. I don't like it when they call me or come to my door, and I feel really uncomfortable doing it to others. And believe me, I've done it enough in the past to know I don't like it.

Second, I live in one of the most liberal towns in America - Santa Cruz, CA. Bush won't get 20% here.

[AP]

4. Strangers love talking to democratic precinct walkers and callers.

Your faith in humanity will be renewed after volunteering to help elect demcorats. And people are generally really greatful and appreciative that you're out there looking after their best interests.

And guess what?

Your state democratic party needs you to walk:

Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Demo HQ
740 Front St., Ste. 155
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Santa Cruz Demo Cent. Cmte. 831.476.4224
Darrell Darling - Chair
[e-mail]

Will you please do me a favor and give them a call? Please? Thanks.

[Dookus]

15. No thank you

I already explained I hate bothering people at home.

[AP]

31. Believe me, from experience, asking democrats to vote democratic

isn't bothering them.

Most people are happy to see you. Some are incredibly grateful.

It's quite an experience and I recommend it.

[Dookus]

38. I know you do

and you seem to think I haven't done it in the past. I have. I was a community organizer, a fundraiser, a pollster... I've bothered a LOT of people in my time. I choose not to do so anymore.

[AP]

43. If you're not asking people for money, and if you're calling a list of Dem

voters, you tend to get pretty encouraging responses.

And I wasn't so much presuming anything about your experiences as I was trying to convey my experiences.

[MockSwede]

46. Bother at home

Where else are you going to 'bother' them? I find they speak their mind more comfortably on their home turf versus in public. We had a great time meeting REAL people of various and sundry yesterday when we helped canvas in Bangor, ME, area.

[ronnykmarshall]

90. Some people just DON'T LIKE to do these types things.

I can't blame Dookus. I'm not real comfortable doing it myself.

Different strokes for different folks.

[AP]

105. Are you more comfortable with 4 more years of Bush.

John Kerry probably didn't feel comfortable risking his life for his country. But he did it.

It's time for us to report for duty and do things that aren't easy so that we can beat back fascism.

[ronnykmarshall]

108. Self delete

[Nevernose]

40. Free weekend in Vegas, Dookus

Put up a couple of days of your time in October getting Dems to the polls -- on a weekend, no less -- and I'll put you up in my spare room. You can't make a difference in California, but you sure as heck could make a difference in Nevada. We need every warm body we can get, doing whatever needs to get done.

[AP]

51. This post displays DU's greatest potential and greatest power.

[LenaLush]

82. My hubby and I are planning to help NV

We are here in CA and are planning to go to either Reno or Las Vegas to GOTV for the Dems.

[BeatleBoot]

3. I phone banked all last week

I took a break today.

Tomorrow I start it back up.

[rednek_Liberal]

5. Im just too damned lazy....

besides I really havent got any spare time between
Work(I'm on Call 24/7), School, Dialysis, Family, and finding time to eat.

[AP]

7. In one hour you can make about 40 calls.

Every bit helps.

[fairfaxvadem]

6. I don't every week.

I did all summer, but now I'm back in school so between that and working full time I've got all I can do get our precincts organized and staffed for Election Day, which is my focus now.

Fortunately, we have a pretty darn good volunteer operation and our commmittee has folks out every weekend, plus what the campaigns are doing.

Every little bit helps but I admit, I went through some guilty feelings having to rein in my time once school started back up in August. I devoted an entire weekend to local campaign stuff two weeks ago and I really paid for it schoolwise, so I've had to just stick to my main obligation for precinct org and not beat myself up when I'm in study group knowing everyone is out pounding the pavement on a Saturday morning.

Can't do it all.

[jbm]

8. I don't know how..

I don't live in a 'big city' area, and even though I have signed up online or in person to volunteer on at least 10 occasions, I've never been contacted by anyone. I joined the dem committee here, but they're not very active. I have found things I can do on my own, like putting up yard signs and putting together a little civics/politics class/discussion thing. I would think that stuff like phone banking or canvassing is more organized and comes from some central office type thing or something. If I could figure out how to get hooked up so that I COULD do it, I would do it for hours and hours every week.

[AP]

10. I suspect this is the problem. You sign up. You wait for someone to call.

If they don't, you do nothing.

Trust me. If you walk in without being asked they're going to love you a ton.

Often they don't call you for the very reason they need you there. They're busy and have a lot to do.

So give it a shot. Go in without being called.

Report for duty, as it were.

[jbm]

17. there isn't a place to 'walk in'..

I don't want to sound full of excuses, but believe me..if there was a place here doing phone calling or something I would have been there!!!! There is no place. There is me, and a little rented storefront where the 15 old people that make up our dem committee take turns handing out bumper stickers to anyone who walks through the door. It opened on wednesday. I've been there four times since wednesday,but there's no phone banking going on there..lol. Before they opened, there was me, and the signs,bumper stickers, and campaign buttons that I ordered off the net and gave out to anyone I could find that would display them. Despite that,I still think we're going to take Missouri!

[Cheswick2.0]

65. JBM... here is the contact information you need to join ACT

Please contact this organization. This is the most massive GOTV effort in the country. They are in every swing state and they are looking for millions of volunteers. They have a plan set up, they have the organization and all they need now are the bodies.

Please call them. They are turning out the vote to get rid of bush.

http://actforvictory.org/

Contact us

MISSOURI HEADQUARTERS:
393 Euclid Ave. Suite 340
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Missouri State Director: Grant Williams
State Administrative Director: Ingrid Owens
State Field Director: James Gaston
State Communications Director: Sara Howard
Volunteer Coordinator: Elizabeth Gaines

REGIONAL OFFICES

ACT- Kansas City
1719 West 39th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Kansas City Field Director: Oscela Pope
Kansas City Regional Deputy Communications Director: Ebs Burnough

Kansas City Volunteer Coordinator: Mark Logan


ACT -St. Louis
5585 Pershing Ave. Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
St. Louis Regional Field Director: Walle Amusa

ACT -Springfield

1219 East Commercial

Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: [phone]
Springfield Regional Field Director: Kay Mills

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[FearofFutility]

71. I report for duty tomorrow

and I credit DU with my decision to do it. I've never been politically active, but this election is way too important.

[MockSwede]

48. Call

Just call your local office and find out directions there and GO. They will find lots for you to do and more times for you to come back!

We just helped yesterday in our area and we had locals and folks from NH and MA bussed up to work Friday and Saturday and Sunday.

It was a blast to talk to real people. We had one fellow chase us down, after we'd not gotten a reply to our knocks, across his yard to have us come BACK and fill him in on what we were up to. Nice guy.

Said if he had a choice between Bush and Darth Vader; he'd choose Vader!

(Me, too, and Kerry's not Vader!)

So, thanks for the yard signs and now, get out and multiply your vote!

[Eric J in MN]

63. There are at least 4 places to sign up.

http://www.democrats.org/volunteer/index.html

www.moveonpac.org

www.johnkerry.com

www.actforvictory.com

If you signed up at one of these places and they didn't call you, you can try another.

[Career Prole]

9. Why? I live in the sticks. My post office is in a town with a population

of 1900 five miles away...and that town is deep in the heart of Texas.
When I'm not at work I'm taking care of my daughter so she'd have to "go with" and in this neighborhood that'd be a parlocky thing to do.
I donate all I can and try to convert the guys at work. That's my level best, AP. :shrug:

[AP]

11. There are kids at phone banks all the time. So even if you can't walk,

you should call.

[MockSwede]

58. Parlocky?

What's that mean. Just curious about idioms.

[Career Prole]

60. I was referring to a fella named Parlock...here, read this...

That should explain it. :hi:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=836221

During heated election campaigns, it just goes against common sense to let your kids accompany you when you raid the enemy camp.

[CitySky]

59. "level best"

sounds like an honest assessment, given geography & parenting duties etc. I think we each just want to wake up Nov. 3 knowing that we did that! :thumbsup:

BUT: if you get the hankering to do more AND schedule permits AND you're anywhere near East TX AND your daughter isn't really really young... lot of 'ifs,' ok...

THEN I would suggest a road trip to Clear Lake (south of Houston) -- www.morrisonfor22.com -- there is terrific energy at that campaign, and they could probably find a good home base for you AND your daughter for a night or two. Better Government Without DeLay!

(BTW, as a fellow Red Sox fan -- even-steven over the last 2 weekends w/the evil empire, huh? coulda been better, coulda been worse... *sigh*.)

[Career Prole]

86. I'm about 200 miles due west of Dallas, actually.

And as a Sox fan I'm greatly encouraged. If the last two weekend's home and away series had been the American League championship series we'd have 3 apiece and be awaiting Game 7 right now. :toast:

[crispini]

88. 200 miles west of Dallas!

Hi from Dallas! :7 If you get into "town" check out www.dallasforkerry.com or http://www.tarrant4kerry.com/

That's where the action is! :D

There might be something going on at your countywide Democratic party office... I know one of the candidates who is campaigning in a 5 county area east of Dallas and he says that the Democrats there are coming out of the woodwork!

[Career Prole]

89. Sure will!

I'm going to the next Taylor County Democrats meeting. I didn't know there was such an animal. Figgered I was pretty much alone out here. :D

[crispini]

91. Cooooooool!

Good for you. In a lot of these small Texas towns, the Dems that are there are really old-school... back from the day that Texas was blue, and damn never changed their minds about any of it. Yellow dog democrats every one.

[Career Prole]

92. I'm glad AP pushed me.

Thanks, AP! :hi:

[CitySky]

101. The power of DU

:party:

"Still We Believe" -- re the Democratic Party in TX too!

[AP]

107. I can't express how happy that makes me feel...

...

[Career Prole]

109. No need to...

as Dad used to say, "Ya done good, kid!"

:yourock:

[seabeyond]

12. kids, a house, no democratic party

texas, lol lol..........inlaws coming to town. a brother in kansas in the hospital and picking up her daughter and bringing back her until father got out, surgery, husband business, employees out, picking up son from school cause sick, going out of town........

cause i never have done and havent gotten self to figure out how to do. thought about it a lot

but...........i talk to a lot of people all over town. i have kerry bumper sticker, i have donated money, and have never done that before.

someone is going to send me a calling list next week. i am excited about that

only trying to "Help me understand what's stopping you. "
my bad

[LoZoccolo]

13. 1. Sometimes I'm rude to people on the phone.

2. I'm overweight so I have fat thighs which scrape together too much if I walk a long way and even start bleeding. You wanted to know.

[seabeyond]

14. bah ha ha ha

listening to you. #2. hey i appreciate you asking ap........make me feel bad. gonna be busy all nest week thru the weekend...but

is oct ok, or to late with end of reg. do you all still make calls. i can do that really well. good sales person and phone voice and i nevah, get rude

[haydukelives]

16. colorado for KERRY

this is my first message on d.u. i will start volunteering tomorrow.* must be defeted.

[seabeyond]

19. i have been thinking of hitting colorado

not too much of a drive and i have a friend that lives in littleton.

[Longhorn]

57. Welcome to DU!

Tthanks for your work in Colorado and glad to have you here! :yourock:

[crispini]

75. Oct. is not too late!

is oct ok, or to late with end of reg. do you all still make calls.

No... after voter reg is over everyone will still need GOTV phone calls!

[qwlauren35]

80. Then you need to do tabling.

There is a need to set up voter registration tables and voter information tables at major events - fall fairs, bazaars, church revivals, music festivals, or just outside grocery stores! One woman I know is doing it at child care centers.

People who want to create change WILL come to YOU.

[CalProf]

18. Yup. We do our work...

phone banks phone banks phone banks.

ID voters so the campaign can do their thing on election day. If we do it, we'll win.

[renoray]

20. I walk

I walk for ACT. I have done a few banks for MoveOn. If they didn't exist I would likely walk for the Democrats when I could, even though most of my support for the Dems is based on being against the Republicans they are running against rather than being for the Democrat. Most progressive groups need office help/data entry help so if you don't feel comfortable talking to people, ask your local organizations if you could do something else. Stuff envelopes for local candidates, write letters, do data entry on walk sheets from canvassers, help organize the office, do gopher work, work a table at an event where people are coming to you(if you feel going to them is a bother), or just bring those folks that do walk something to eat.

[AP]

32. Excellent post.

[Cheswick2.0]

66. bravo... and ACT is looking for millions of volunteers on election day

please spread the word.

[AndyTiedye]

21. Living Out in the Sticks, Precinct "Walk" is Out of the Question

The precinct is too large and spread-out to walk.
Not many people. Lots of gates and dogs.
People don't do anything door-to-door out here.

It would probably be preaching to the choir anyway.
This area is full of old hippies and tree-huggers.

More to the point, my persuasive skills suck.
I wouldn't be helping Kerry's cause by canvassing for him.

I donated to Kerry's campaign, to Texans for Truth,
moveon, verifiedvoting.org, and truevotemd.
I'll be making a DNC donation tomorrow.

[AP]

33. They give you a script. And if nobody else is doing it, it's better that

you do it with your sucky persuasive skills. At the very least you help the office collect data on the people with whom they need to follow up in the last ten days.

Not all phone banking and precinct walking is persuassion. Some of the most valuable info is often merely which addresses or phone numbers are bad so they know to not waste time on them in the last few days.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

55. That's true, it's not all persuasive

The phone banking I've been doing is calling Democrats and independents and finding out who they are voting for. They told us not to try to persuade anyone, just get the information. It's just three or four easy questions -- "Are you voting for A B or C?" (for president, house and local elections).

Tell them you are willing to do that type of calling. It's useful to them to identify supporters and persuadables. It's not hard at all, most people are nice, they know you're not trying to sell them anything.

[qwlauren35]

81. Actually...

A lot of work is done with scripts, especially phone banking. You don't have to be persuasive. When I call, I just try to be cheerful and respectful of others.

[NoPasaran]

22. I have a deathly fear of talking to people I don't know

But I have been overcoming it this year. SO far, I have mostly been concentrating on registering people to vote, but did some blockwalking on the other side of town to get my feet wet. I'm getting a list for my precinct tomorrow and somehow I will summon the strength to use it. If Bushler is elected it will not be because I was afraid to knock on doors.

[GRLMGC]

29. same here

I worked on a campaign last year and refused to phone bank but because of this irrational fear of rejection. I worked my ass off stuffing envelopes and doing data entry. This year I've started registering voters so I'm slowly getting over my deal. It feels pretty good

[AP]

34. I used to too. What cured it: talking to strangers about something I

really cared about. Getting Dems elected.

Excellent post.

[Cheswick2.0]

67. I think you are great and I LIKE talking to you online

You will do just fine. Sure a few people will be rude, but screw them. I have a deathly fear of another four years of bush.

I appreciate what you are doing!

[NoPasaran]

98. Thanks, Cheswick

This whole year has been a succession of doing things that I have never done before. I have met lots of other people who are also doing this for the first time. Multiplying our experience across the whole country gives me the confidence that we will win.

[CitySky]

102. Way to go!

-- is someone coming with you? It helps to have a buddy.

[usregimechange]

23. I do, kick, nt

[Sugarcoated]

24. This is my first election volunteering

I came back from the shore A DAY EARLY to do my first door to door with ACT. I was scared, but it was time well spent. It was an upper middle class area, but we found two undecideds and registered two people to vote.

I've done phone banking several times. I hate bothering people at home, believe me, but I keep it conversational and positive and people are pretty nice overall. It very simply has to be done to target the right people. And I know I swayed more than a few undecideds.

I put together packets for all my family members, printout packs I did myself from places on the internet, comparisons of the issues, some more radical printouts that someone here turned me on to, signs, buttons, and voter registration forms. I asked them if they would possibly go door to door in their neighborhoods, the face to face is so crucial. My sister-in-law is a teacher and the No Child Left Behind bill resonates for her. She knows it well, so she can talk it up knowledgeably. My husband's cousin is a professor at a local college and was glad to put out a stack of voter regs and printouts.

I ask young people wherever I go now if they're registered to vote. Staples, Ruby Tuesday, Pizzaria Uno, grocery store. My daughter's friends, I've registered or left forms in many places and I'll follow up this week. I'm dropping off printouts to several people on the fence, not voting, etc. to sway them.

Me and another volunteer, met her at a phone bank, spent two afternoons, at the train station, the mall, bus stop, trying to find people to register to vote.

And I'm gonna do the face to face, door to door in my neighborhood.

I work at home, so I have alot of time to do it, it's true, but even if I worked full time out of the home, I'd do something in this election.

Talk, talk and talk some more!!!

[senseandsensibility]

25. Hey, I'm not big on

throwing guilt trips around, especially at DUers, who are good people(absolute angels, compared to this administration), but I'm getting just about desperate enough to do it. WE NEED TO CONTACT EVERY DEM LEANING VOTER BEFORE THE ELECTION, and it's crunch time!!! Please, do not let this election slip away a few votes at a time. If our side turns out, we win! Think about that. Really think about it. I'm shy, busy, have all kinds of hang ups or whatever, but I'm doing it. I"m doing it so that I can look at myself in the mirror. If * wins, I will know that I did all I could.

[Toucano]

27. That's exactly it.

If I am to be driven from my motherland by rightwing nut jobs, I want to be able to say I did EVERYTHING I could to prevent it.

[AP]

35. great post.

[Toucano]

26. I didn't answer because I don't volunteer on Sunday.

It isn't a religious thing. I work on Sundays.

I phone bank on Tuesday and Thursdays and walk on Saturdays.

So when you asked how it went today...I didn't reply. ;)

[Sugarcoated]

30. I have a Dem friend who

writes letters to the editor and media alot, that's her thing. Anyone can do that, if you're shy or if time is a limited.

A few weeks ago I tried to get through to C-span, I hit redial fifty times. Never got through. It seems like such a time waster, does anyone have tips on it?

[Toucano]

28. For rural DUers

Have you considered making a day of it by driving to a nearby small town or city to volunteer?

Even if you have to drive for an hour or so, it's not too much to ask.

Until recently, we had to drive for 40 miles just to see a movie. We're accustomed to making the "trip to town" for shopping and entertainment. Why not for your civic duty? If you plan a litte ahead of time, it is totally possible.

If you still can't, can I suggest practical contributions that help others who are volunteering?

-Bottled drinking water, ground coffee and coffee filters
-Ink cartridges and toner
-Snacks (sweet and healthy)

Our office is always in need of supplies. All our contributions to the DNC and the campaigns don't always make it down to the local offices, so there may really be a need.

AP is pressing us all because it REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It's the only way we're going to pull this off.

[AP]

36. Thank you for that post.

This is how we're going to win this thing.

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

37. DU Group Activity....get people to the polls!!!

A very good post by AP....

I am not even a democrat and i have volunteered....everything up to nov 2 is BS unless you get the vote out...why do you think Bush sucks up to the Fundies? he needs their vote...the Catholics: He needs their vote....

he who registers and gets to the polls the most people will win...i am taking the day off on Nov. 2 just to drive people to the polls..

I would like propose that DU go 'silent' on certain days/times that the posters could then donate 1, 2, or 3 hours to the Kerry effort...i mean, think how much time a lot of you are on the board...what about we all make a pact to drop the board for a couple hours and just show up at the nearest phone bank and make calls???
stuff envelopes...

OR JUST SIT AT HOME AND CALL YOUR RELATIVES IN A SWING STATE.....buy a long distance card from ATT at Sam's for $30 and make calls

Or use the LTTE functions on some sites to write your papers...let people know there are folks who care deeply about getting rid of Bush

Or get a couple Kerry yard signs and walk your own block and offer them to your neighbors (I have given out 4 this way and only visited 6 houses to do it)

or put together a compilation of website links or some of the better pro-kerry/anti-bush emails and send them to friends (remind them to forward if they like it)...you would be surprised often they get send along...

But mostly get every Kerry supporter to the polls...your friends, family, relatives...volunteer to drive to polls for an apartment nearby...talk to your local dems

Why are you special?
--------------------

Who knows more about the whys and hows of the Kerry campaign?

Who knows more about the depths that the Bush administration has gone, and will go if re-elected?

Who are more anti-Bush, Pro-Kerry than the DU folks?

seriously any one of your serious posters should either be able to convince any voter to vote kerry...or at least put enough doubt or guilt into a bush supporter that they think twice when they pull the lever...

Your hour on the phone is likely worth three hours of a typical democrat worker...

I have a couple repug friends who can talk a good game about Bush and the second coming and all....but none of them have registered one person, or convinced one person to vote bush...i have registered ~150 people about 95% for Kerry...some of them who did not know they had to update their addresses becasue of a move....some thought they could register on the day of the election....

if Nov 2 turns out to be a shitty day, i will know that I have tried my best...if nov 2 is a good day....then i will celebrate finally getting involved and making a difference...

when i started this Colorado was written off as a republican state...now it is a swing state, and likely to go Kerry, if we get the vote out....

do something to elect Kerry, then repeat (until 11/2)

[Hello_Kitty]

39. Don't shut DU off! I phone-bank from home while reading it.n/t

[AndyTiedye]

42. Remote Phone Bank?

> seriously any one of your serious posters should either be able to
> convince any voter to vote kerry...or at least put enough doubt or
> guilt into a bush supporter that they think twice when they pull the lever...

You'd think, but so far, I'm batting zero on converting Boosh supporters.
It's true I don't get much practice around here (near San Francisco),
because there aren't many Boosh supporters to convert :-)

Can we phone-bank for swing states from home, or do we have to be
residents of the state we're calling? It might make more sense to
do it for a swing state than for California. My phone plan includes
unlimited domestic long-distance, so phone charges aren't an issue.

[Lefta Dissenter]

61. I had heard

maybe six weeks ago that the Kerry campaign had hired the guy who had run Clark's system for 'remote phonebanking.' I wonder what happened with that?

It was a great system, where you'd sign in, get short (perhaps 10) lists of people to call or even write - in states that had upcoming primaries. It makes sense to transfer that system to the general election, calling/writing into swing states.

I was chicken at first, only writing letters, but then I got braver and started phoning into Iowa and a couple of other states. It was SO easy to sit here in my home office and make the calls, and the sense of accomplishment as I'd tick each name off the list was really rewarding.

[crispini]

74. MoveOn.org has remote phone banking

http://www.moveonpac.org/precinctpartners/signup.html?id=3250-1516003-r3g5SE6A2.SR6fc4guiPsg

also I thought I got an email from the Kerry campaign asking for remote phone bank help but I can't find it and I logged into the Kerry volunteer campaign website and I can't find an appropriate link. Will keep looking.

[Zhade]

41. To be honest? I'm not sure how. And I don't want to do it alone.

I've never volunteered for a campaign before.

I'm not Kerry's biggest fan, yet I did sign up with their campaign, figuring I could register voters or something. They never contacted me, but like you said, they're probably too busy to do so.

I've had bad luck with getting involved - can never find the meeting, or traffic screws it up. Gets discouraging.

But thanks for the reminder. I need to go across the street to speak with the couple with the Kedwards sign in their yard. Maybe they can point me in the right direction.

[AP]

44. You won't be doing it alone. When you finally get there, you'll find other

people who care about the same things you care about, and you'll find people who are incredibly appreciative of your efforsts.

Don't give up. Keep trying to get there. The Republicans are pretty motivated and we're not going to win unless we're twice as motivated.

Hell, PM me. Tell me where you live and I'll make the calls to find where and when you need to go. I'll get you to the phone bank.

[Cheswick2.0]

68. volunteer with ACT

If you can go to Nevada or New Mexico or Arizona for election day and on saturdays before that, they would be so glad to have you.

http://actforvictory.org/

[Zhade]

96. I cannot afford to travel.

NT!

[MockSwede]

45. GOTV - 2004

My wife and I were out in the Bangor, ME, area yesterday. We had folks up from NH and MA, as well as lots of locals, like us, on Fr and Sa and Su going door to door. We got some lovely comments from the Greens and Unaffiliates and Dems to whom we talked.

The one I like the best: "If it were a vote between Bush and Darth Vader; I'd vote for Vader!"

We polled about 75% definitely voting K/E and about 10% voting/leaning W and about 15% leaning K/E. We have to work on that 15% and wonder about that 10%.

Contact our local K/E office at 942-5585 to help out! Everyone CAN help.

[AP]

47. Bush IS Darth Vader.

[AngryAmish]

49. Who appointed you guilt chairman?

That sounds accusatory, but please listen. We all support our candidates our own way. Luckily, I can do my support on the golf course at fundraisers.

Sunday in the fall is for football, as it has been ordained and always will be.

[AP]

50. George Bush.

And I'm trying hard to change that. I'm tryin'. I'm tryin' real hard to be a shepherd.

By the way, don't take it so personally. This isn't about you. It's about winning.

[Minimus]

52. I phone bank and canvass in NC

My hubby and I canvassed yesterday. The weather was perfect, it was great exercise (our lists had a total of 90 "knocks" of mostly Unaffiliated). I like to think that when they get to the voting booth they will remember the friendly couple that chatted with them and that will help them decide to vote for our candidate.

Also, it is great to hear first hand the people that are supporting Democrats (many thanked us for what we were doing) and seeing the K/E yard signs at houses that were not even on our list.

It is a great feeling to actually do something. My feeling is if K/E wins NC (last poll showed close race here) I will get the satisfaction of knowing I helped.

[Claire Beth]

53. I phone banked in TN....

for two hours last week and scheduled for two more hours tomorrow night. I also work part time and get a chance to talk with people about the election and I have registered new voters... I feel like if everyone does as at least as much as I have we'll have a victory in November.

[LWolf]

54. Seriously, here's why:

During the week, I leave at Dawn and get home at dusk, if I'm lucky. I get home in a state of exhaustion, and set about caring for my pets and doing whatever household tasks I can do before I hit the sack for the night.

On the weekend, I do the yardwork, take care of my horses, try to visit with my grandson, exercise my dogs, do actual housecleaning, paying bills, etc....there is never enough time to get all the chores done. Never. No one is here fixing the garage door, mowing the lawn, doing the grocery shopping, changing the oil, or whatever else needs to be done. It's all up to me, and I'm trying to salvage a life in there somewhere. Before Sept. '03, my schedule was less frantic, and I was more active, even on my own. The last year of overwork and overstress has left me struggling to keep up with day to day responsibilities.

If my life were different, I wouldn't precinct walk; I HATE it when strangers approach my door, or intrude on my home with uninvited phone calls. I wouldn't do that to them, either. I would volunteer to man our local dem club's voter registration booths. Or write letters for the campaign.

In all honesty, I don't really "get" how the campaigning part works. I decide who to vote for by looking at their record, comparing it to what they are saying/promising, and making the most informed choice I can. I'm focused on issues. I would never decide who to vote for because someone called me on the phone or knocked on my door to tell me what they thought. I like people to wait for me to ask before giving me their 2 cents. At the same time, I want all the information I can get before I make my choices. Informational letters, pamphlets, brochures, ads, whatever...as long as it is information, not "spin," it's helpful.

Of course, I also don't get my info from the television; maybe that's the difference.

There's another issue; how much do I have to say about a candidate that I'm not totally comfortable with? I think I'm better off letting those people who are enthusiastic about the candidate do the talking. All of my talking points have to do with why Bush has to go, not Kerry. I donated to the last cent, wrote more than 200 letters by hand, met with organizers, helped at events for the candidate of my choice in the primaries. I've donated to Kerry's campaign, spoken out against Bush in every way that I know, and tried to keep quiet about my discomfort with Kerry. I thought that last part was the most important thing I could do.

[crispini]

83. How canvassing works...

In all honesty, I don't really "get" how the campaigning part works.... I like people to wait for me to ask before giving me their 2 cents. At the same time, I want all the information I can get before I make my choices.

It's the last part that makes canvassing works. You sound like (despite your busy schedule) you are fairly aware. An awful lot of people out there aren't that informed at all. A real live person coming to the door makes a big impression, since it's fairly uncommon (esp. in non-swing states). A visit to these voters 1) reminds them that there is an election 2) gives you an opportunity to give them literature, information etc. to help them make up their minds and 3) gives them a chance to tell YOU how they feel about the election, the world, etc.

I was really nervous about canvassing at first and now I love it. There are so many people out there who want to be asked their opinion.

[LWolf]

100. If you love it, there must be people out there who need it!

I know that most people don't stay informed; I don't understand it, but I know it's reality. Whatever it takes!

With my schedule, I'm not going to make the first debate potluck my local dem club is having; I'd hoped to be there to network and watch the debate, and set up some time helping the fundraisers or the voter registration booths. I don't know what time the debate starts, but the potluck is starting a full 2 hours before I'll be leaving work. I'm left to hope that: 1. The debate is aired by CSpan, since I don't have network tv, and 2. That they replay it if I don't get home in time!

[democratreformed]

56. We canvassed in rural Arkansas Saturday

Mixed reactions. Some very strong Bush supporters AND some very strong Kerry supporters. Then, there were those "I don't understand" people: i.e. one couple who dislike Blanche Lincoln, love Vic Snyder, but intend to vote for Bush. (We were asking about the congressional, senate, and presidential races). Vic Snyder is our most liberal federal representative, Blanche is the most conservative - so this makes no sense.

All in all, I think our canvassing upheld the results of recent polls - that our state is very close - most likely exactly tied.

[Mick Knox]

62. Not my thing

but best of luck to those of you who do this.

I dont like to go out and talk to people... and I dont like it when they come to my door or call me. No matter who it is, I hang up.

The most I can stand is faceless people on the internet and that is just barely.

[ronnykmarshall]

64. I did some last week.

They just opened a HQ in West Hollywood, I'm going to trot my happy ass down there.

[kaitykaity]

69. I'm no good at one, hate the other.

I phoned as a volunteer for a campaign in 2002, and the
volunteer coordinator finally listened to me and took me
off after three calls.

Meeting people, knocking on doors? The introvert in me
is already screaming.

[The Flaming Red Head]

70. Nobody asked me. n/t

[crispini]

78. Ok, I'll ask you.

:) Would you please consider contributing some time in a volunteer activity. Whatever you prefer: some phone banking, precinct walking, etc.

Where are you? Your profile doesn't say. There are resources elsewhere in this thread (John Kerry website. ACT website) to get you hooked up.

Cheers!

[SW FL Dem]

72. Like others have said, I don't like making phone calls

or talking to strangers. I have volunteered to act as a block captain for my street and a poll watcher for election day. I've also volunteered for data entry, envelope stuffing etc. We all do what we are comfortable doing.

[Guaranteed]

73. Most people don't like me, and I'd probably do more damage

than good.

Well- I dunno, I might be wrong there. I "present" very well- but, I don't want to risk it.

[The Blue Knight]

76. I'm 17 years old, and I can't vote this year. So....

I phonebank and register voters, and I've got about 10 of my 18 year old friends who're voting for Kerry in November.

[crispini]

84. Ya really think so?

So many people have said in this thread that they hate phone calls. GAWD, do I hate phonebanking. Hate it hate it hate it. I feel like I am bothering people. However, I (like you) can "present" very well... people have told me I'm good on the phone.... so, I go and do it anyway.

I actually LIKE canvassing, though, so I'll go canvass when there's a choice.

[qwlauren35]

77. It's not my favorite thing to do...

I've done phone banking ONCE. Put in about 3 hours. Gawd, it was depressing. We were only calling Pub-leaning Democrats. They vehemence with which they asserted that they were voting for Bush was demoralizing. And most weren't home. I think I called 150 people, but only made contact with 30 and only 4 were supporting Kerry.

That's hard to do.

So instead, I do voter registration. Even though I work AND teach, I try to fit in at least 5 hours a week. AND... I spend a lot of time on the 'net, recruiting new volunteers.

The reality is that, for some of us, active campaigning can only happen during certain hours, i.e. after work and pretty much before sundown. (6-9pm). Not a huge window for working folks. But 'NET work... doesn't have such rigid windows. So that's what I try to focus on.

[tishaLA]

79. I love doing it!

In my neighborhood, it has the added benefit of helping me practice my Spanish.

[AP]

104. Exactly my experience too.

Tisha, who are you working with?

[Colin Ex]

85. I don't because I hate it.

Also because most of the time I'm in the Democratic office I'm putting together materials for phone bankers and precinct walkers, and by the time I finish it it's Homework Time.

[genius]

87. The Kerry campaign here is holding back the lists.

They seem to be working towards losing. I'm walking anyway but not with their help. They don't see to even have literature.

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

93. bump...

[AP]

106. Where are you located?

[JohnKleeb]

94. I cant canvass this week

I got an excuse though, I am actually going to see Kerry and others at the IAD in Philly, how sweet is that, an Irish American thing and Kerry, I could ask for nothing more.

[doni_georgia]

95. My local democratic party is about nonexistant

I have called the chair of the local group about 100 times this year and the guy has yet to return my call. I called and emailed him to volunteer to drive folks to the polls during the primary - no response. Called and emailed him to drive people to the Edwards' rally - no response. Called and emailed him to volunteer to phone bank or go door to door - no response. It's frustrating! I have just been doing my own thing - emailing people, wearing my Kerry gear everywhere around town, writing rebuttles to the countless idiotic freeper chain emails I keep getting.

[AgadorSparticus]

97. I REALLY do not like calling people or knocking on doors.

I just don't enjoy the experience. It makes me anxious. But I'm doing what IS comfortable for me: getting people I do know and everyone they know to register and vote by mail here in southern AZ.

[notadmblnd]

99. I missed it

but a lot of the calls I made between 5:30 and 7:30, most were not home. A lot of people refused to answer questions. Of the 100 or so I called I only spoke to about 20 people.

[CitySky]

103. Just a plug for phonebanking

Sounds like people have had some rotten phonebanking experiences, but I have to say my one shot at it so far was pretty fun.

I was at the Morrison (anti-DeLay) HQ in Texas, calling people who had voted in Democratic primaries before. My script was a little blurb about Richard, then "can we count on your vote?"

Some people said yes, some needed more information.

My favorite answer of all was the old guy who erupted with, "I'LL vote TWICE against Tom DeLay!!!" A hoot. :D

But to be fair, when I take those personality tests I score as the extreme extravert. And there is plenty of work for you introverts too, data entry etc. We all just need to do our "level best!"