Has anyone gone to black churches to recruit yet?

[Joanne98]

I know a black highway patrolman who's a dem. I don't have his number though. I know what church he goes too. Good or bad idea? what do you think?

[skypilot]

1. I personally thinks it's always bad...

...no matter which party does it. I remember when I was about 12 years old and our current governor, Ed Rendell, was running for office (I can't remember what he was running for at the time) and he came to our church asking people to vote for him. I remember it leaving a bad taste in my mouth even then. And though I haven't really thought it through, it seems that separation of church and state should apply here somehow.

[graywarrior]

3. Guy I worked with sent me a message

after I left the job not to worry because in his black community, people were talking at church about voting for Kerry. They are talking about this.

[AngryOldDem]

6. I Agree with skypilot

I think it's treading a very fine line bringing politics into churches. You can do it, but how many people are you risking offending by it? I'd much rather see voter registration drives and other events like the one mentioned further on down in this thread -- health screenings, candidates' forums, etc. I think that sends a very positive message that people are valued for more than their vote -- that they themselves matter. People will remember that.

Getting people registered this year is Priority #1, IMO, especially among the African-American community.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi AngryOldDem!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AngryOldDem]

8. Thanks!

:hi:

[Joanne98]

9. Welcome to DU

You angry old person :) Do you live in Ohio? I'm in Zanesville.

[AngryOldDem]

10. Yep, I'm an Oh-hi-oh-an

Howdy from Dayton.

:hi:

[Jerseygirltoo]

2. not necessary

According to the polls, the African-American vote will be at least 90% for Kerry. If you want to help, volunteer to drive people to the polls who don't have transportation

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. We did this in Texas last weekend.

One of the larger Baptist churches in Oak Cliff (our very black area) was having a back-to-school event, getting the kids haircuts, medical exams, school supplies and clothes, and mammograms for the moms, plus free lunches.

It was such a worthwhile event. We had a table set up, and worked the line while people were waiting to get in. We registered 54 new voters, and I got a couple of VERY gung-ho folks who were already registered and DEFINITELY voting for Kerry.

Do it!
FSC

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

5. My suggestion

Go to this website and order the DVD or video (it's ten bucks). Then tell your friend that you'd like to come to his church on a Sunday morning and show the video before or after services (typically there's a time of fellowship). If you know him well, he might even offer to show the video without your having to show up.

Repeat this as often as possible in as many African-American churches you can find.