Should we be trying to get our conservative relatives and friends to register to vote?

[Kalidurga]

Manny got me to consider this possibility http://jackpineradicals.org/showthread.php?1172-quot-The-most-Conservative-guy-I-know-wants-to-vote-for-Bernie-quot&p=5762#post5762 I have heard other stories that are similar. But, none where the person is actually asking questions on how to vote for him. This is possibly one way to win the primaries I think. I only have one conservative in my life I think will convert. But, I am sure other people here know a lot more conservatives than I do.

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. I always believe in voter registration and GOTV efforts

It can be an opportunity to let people know about Bernie, but more importantly, I just believe the more people who participate in the system makes the system more representative. The big corporations and the 1% may be able to have more of a voice through their political contributions, but each person still has only one vote.

[Kalidurga]

2. It is true GOTV efforts are the big thing to win elections

I just never thought to reach out to Republicans. The idea seems foreign to me. I rarely talk politics to anyone who seems even remotely conservative. It would I think be a waste of breath and lead to unnecessary confrontation. But, now I am thinking perhaps this is the wrong way to look at it.

[draa]

3. Wow, that seems odd to me. Not that you haven't but that you haven't tried. Especially for you.

Never reaching out to a Republican seems foreign to me. I've got quite a few family and friends who are conservative. They're working for the same things we are. A fair shake and a chance to get ahead. They may not always listen but they're not unreachable if you try.

It's sad that the two political parties have their respective bases convinced their political counterparts can't be reasoned with. That they're evil and untrustworthy. It's a shitty way to do politics for sure but it's the only way those pricks can stay in power.

[senz]

4. I agree, draa

We need to keep the channels of communication open. It's not a good idea if we or the other person are feeling angry, but in a calm, friendly conversation there's nothing wrong with giving your point of view and your reasons.

I do believe it's best to present our reasons for supporting Bernie in terms of Bernie's long history of supporting average working people. When I talk to conservatives with whom I'm on good terms, I usually say I like Bernie because he's for the people.

Many conservatives are unhappy with the way the country's going because their own lives are harder than they used to be.

[MrMickeysMom]

5. Take Bernie's lead on this and reach out to everyone...

You'll find that's helpful. In fact, I'd say that between two groups being the tolerable conservative and the Hill-bots, the first one argues facts, or their version of them. The bots don't seem to want to examine facts as much. This is what drives me insane about talking to my sister. No shame for not knowing the facts, either, whereas a conservative would want you to know they are fact-based (even if they don't have the full picture, which they often don't)

So, YES!

[Live and Learn]

6. Yes, getting them involved is the first step towards getting them informed. nt

[swilton]

7. I have conservative relatives in the south

I let them know I'm working on the Sanders campaign, this is an exciting time in NH - given the state's role in the primaries and leave it at that.....when we're talking about the south, we're talking Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, etc.....I feel a subtle message is better than beating them over the head with a message they don't want to hear.

[Duckfan]

8. That would be an awsome stat to have a large number of "R's" voting for Bernie

And that's just in the primaries. My guess is it would be a cakewalk for Bernie in the GE. But to have a statistic that a bunch of "R's" voted for Bernie would be a kind slap to her presumptuousness.