The absolutely best answer for voter concerns in thirteen weeks of phonebanking.

[gibraltar72]

As I have posted here a few times I am a veteran phone banker. Been doing it for over twenty years. I made my living selling the appointment so I've learned when to talk and when to listen. My latest shift was Saturday. I am in red south central Mi.. For a few weeks was only calling Branch, Hillsdale counties. Last couple has been expanded to include Lenawee and Jackson.

The call I reference here was in my county maybe ten miles away. I call a woman in her 70s screen shows also in household her husbands name. I introduce myself and ask if she has a moment to talk. She immediately says they are for Biden but can't give any money. I tell her I've done this for twenty plus years and never once asked anyone for money. I explain money isn't the issue contact and communication are. I tell her I'd like to hear their concerns. This lady knocks it clean out of the park. Honesty, she goes on to tell me everything wrong stems from dishonesty.

She again tells me she wishes she could give money but they can't. I inform her I am going to donate just for her answer which was absolutely perfect.

I also challenged a FB group locally, stating I would match 10$ contributions to Biden Harris a few days ago. I just reminded them of that. Had only one taker so far. I want to keep the momentum up. so will take care of those sometime after 5 M.

Phonebanking is sometimes being a cheerleader to the discouraged. Sometimes a listener beyond politics. Every shift is different. The people energize me. I hope I energize them. Different than any time in my experience, mostly in a positive way.

[LAS14]

1. Good on you! As my Australian friend would say. How many calls do...

... you have to make before you can talk with someone? Do you ever talk with Trump people? Hubby and I have phone banked a couple of times and between two of us managed two conversations.

[gibraltar72]

3. My own experience

Probably 10 or 12 contacts in a two hour shift. However I leave a message with my own number. Have actually had several call back. My message includes that I am different, I listen to their concerns and won't read a script. We talk about what is important to them. I'm sure Scripts help people who are new. But I'm not and I learn way more by listening than talking. Each concern is banked and used to talk to the next person. It's way different than when majority had landlines. But you adapt. I'm in a red area I get Trumpers.Trumpers are different than Republicans. I have many Rs who self identify then tell me why they've had enough.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. 10-12 is about right.

Cell Phones and Caller ID tend to push those numbers down at times. Our Voter Registration Lists have the type of Phone listed on their registration.

[gibraltar72]

14. Amazed how many people haven't activated their mailbox.

[Wellstone ruled]

21. Bingo,that is a real reality

in real time.

Have no clue how they handle emergencies.

[LAS14]

17. I'm so glad you don't use a script. That's a sure turn off. nt

[Wellstone ruled]

22. In 18'

Local Dem Party assigned a Script Writer to our Operation. Talk about a eighteen year old Poly Sci Student with out a clue. First thing I did was ask if she had every did a phone bank,nope was her answer. Irony being,the lady next to me,93 years young retired Teacher,did a in place training session with the young lady. Long story short,no more hard and fast scripts. Instead the Youngster became our Text Message Contact person which was her best skill set.

[SharonClark]

2. Thank you for sharing your story and viewpoint.

I never looked at phone banking that way.

[gibraltar72]

5. Try it you'll like it.

[Wellstone ruled]

24. Hey,it is a fun way of giving back to your fellow

neighbors and Fellow Citizens. And it is a free Educational Experience. BTW,we had all the Pizza and sugary snacks one could devour. Marco's Pizza as well as a Vending Guy kept us in Snacks.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Way to go!

Our group will be back in business sometime this week. Waiting for the Office to be set up. This will be my Twentieth year as well. Can't wait. BTW,have had similiar conversations in the past. Like you,did Telemarketing a few times when I flunked retirement.

Do recall several conversations in '16 as well as 18' that gave a clue as to how the election was going to end up. Once again,as you say,listen and learn. Most people whom you make contact with,have for the most part made up their minds as to whom they are voting for.

[gibraltar72]

7. Charlie Cook says this one is baked.

I judge by how many in my area tell me they are Republican, but. They then tell me why they've had enough. Each piece becomes part of the next discussion.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. Yes,and as you say,

effective Listening Skills are telling us that Cook is right. Most folks doing a Bank for the first time,unless they have been trained in Boiler Room,need to follow their Script for the first few hours.

Always amazed at how much info one learns by listening and a we bit of encouragement .

BTW,some of those scripts are just plain out of touch.

[gibraltar72]

11. Way to wordy.

Had a Republican call me back cause his phone died and he was afraid I'd think He hung up on me. I said well if I remember I was just at the point when I shut up and you talk. He said he was leaning Biden. He then told me his concerns with Trump for about 12 minutes. I interjected I think twice. I said have I convinced you he chuckled and said I guess I convinced myself. No one has ever asked me to talk I guess.

[gibraltar72]

8. I now do it from home.

Have done it both ways. I did like the attitude in a group setting. And I think I probably helped some who were a little tongue tied. Your mileage may vary.

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Hunch our group will most likely

have to do Home Bound calling. This Covid thing is about to blow up big time here in Vegas. Watched a few minutes of Live Cam last night,maybe 10+ percent wearing face coverings. Now with the bars opening up,not good.

[gibraltar72]

12. Our local MAGATS

are doing a rally tonight in a local park. They are gonna show their Trump love by watching films of his speeches like a drive in movie. We have a special kind of stupid here.

[Wellstone ruled]

20. Our Rellie

in South West Minny texted some pics from a impromptu MAGA meet up last evening in her local Town Park. Irony,yesterday they reported a massive Covid out break earlier in the day. Once again,you can not fix the Stupid.

As for the Niece,her Hubbies Co Worker tested Positive and showing Symptoms yesterday. He closed down the Food Service Facilities and they worked all night on Sanitation as well as everyone who worked yesterday is quarantined to the Casino until all testing is done.

Two of their local School Districts locked down their operations on Tuesday until further notice. So now the Covid is infecting the local Farm Community where as they have not be affected until this week. All those Maga folks best get their crap together right quick.

[gibraltar72]

25. The MAGAT rally tried to keep peaceful protesters out of a public park

Local paper says police were called because it got rowdy. Seems from the videos a MAGAT put his hands on a protester. Anyhow cops must have explained what public means I see at least one of the protesters is still there. Local residents are complaining about the noise. Midvale college has found another way to poison the town. 5 students they are admitting have Covid 29 are isolating. Some inside sources say bigger than that Midvale has no credibility they put up a ten day old article on FB page yesterday that said 0 cases. Quickly got shamed as TV channel ten had confirmed.

[Wellstone ruled]

26. Just learned via the same

Rellie about a mega Wedding doings were one hundred plus attended. 70 people tested Positive so far,the remaining thirty plus some refuse testing others the results are not being made public for fear of the State Government doing a lock down for two Red Counties. Kind of friggin late,two School District where this same Family Crews Kids go to are now shut down.

Just found out that there are zero ICU Beds at all within a Forty mile radius of this happening. The previous Hospital with these facilities closed last fall because of funding as well as a couple Clinics in the same area.

Spouse's BIL should be in a assisted living facility,but,everyone of those within a fifty mile radius can not guarantee to be Covid free.

Scary crap to say the least.

[mindfulNJ]

13. People like you

are the unsung heroes of our Democracy. Thanks for sharing.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

15. Thank you.

I have done phone banking in the past and I do not like it. Every so often I get a call or text (just got one a couple of hours ago) asking me to make phone calls for the Democratic party.

Since I really, really, don't like doing that, I decline or ignore the request. In the past, when campaign headquarters were physical spaces, I'd often volunteer to work inside them. I'd happily answer phone calls that came in, but no to phone banking.

Thanks again for what you are doing.

[gibraltar72]

19. It is second nature to me

I was in the insurance business. My first District manager used to say we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Find out what's important to them before you start talking.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

23. That is precisely what I am very bad at.

[Fresh_Start]

16. Thank you so much. I've tried and I'm hopeless at phonebanking

so I really appreciate that you have been doing it for many campaigns.

[Fresh_Start]

18. Thank you so much. I've tried and I'm hopeless at phonebanking

so I really appreciate that you have been doing it for many campaigns.