I called Ben Nelson's office - you should too

[WhiteTara]

and spoke with his person, Eric, who told me that the reason Nelson was voting yes, was that he was receiving 20 yes calls for every no call. Time to work those fingers some more dialing Ben Nelson [phone]
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
I of course mentioned his home zip code in Omaha Omaha, NE 68114
This man is lonely for the word, call him, every minute of the day and night!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. They have caller ID, just so you know.

They'll know if you're bullshitting them.

[WhiteTara]

6. my phone is listed as private name private number

why the hell should I give that sort of thing out. Caller ID is good for the person receiving, not so good for the person sending.

[Coexist]

7. I have been saying "I am not a constituent but a concerned mother"

and they have been marking my opinion.

[calimary]

15. I use "I care enough about this to call all the way from California."

They do listen and respond that they'll pass my concerns on to the senator/congressperson.

Also, depending on which state it is, I say "I don't live there anymore but I still have family in (whatever state it is), and ..."

And sometimes I say I'm a concerned Republican who is SERIOUSLY distressed over what my party is doing, and that I'm considering changing my party loyalties because the GOP doesn't represent me anymore.

If I play it straight and say I'm not one of "them," I always add - I realize he/she is from the other party, but he/she needs to know that I'M HERE, TOO, and I VOTE, and I TALK TO MY FRIENDS and I'VE TURNED REPUBLICAN FRIENDS AROUND. And that he/she HAS TO take MY views into account, too, whether he/she likes it or not. They usually don't like to hear that, probably because they realize deep-down that it's true, and they just don't want to be reminded of it.

And I have also used YOUR approach - a concerned mother with a daughter who's of childbearing age and concerned about the sanctity of her privacy and reproductive rights. Or - a concerned mother with kids who are approaching draft age.


They DO need to hear from us whether they're the good guys or the bad guys. Doesn't matter. One very wise DUer posted here once that for some of these assholes, they didn't win last time by a lot. And they are VERY WELL AWARE that a few votes from people outside their own narrow party leanings can make a difference between their keeping their jobs the next time out, or heading to the unemployment line. This is particularly useful when confronting the congressman/woman mentality. They have to get their leases renewed EVERY TWO YEARS. So they are loathe to ignore us forever. Especially now with their "president" fighting to win back his "popularity" with the scandals piling up like dollars in the national debt.

[FlaGranny]

10. WhenI look at my caller ID, I NEVER

pick up a call that says "private number." NEVER, EVER.

[WhiteTara]

16. Senators don't have that luxury n/t

[unc70]

12. 800 number calls always give caller's ID -- no blocking

Toll free (800, 888, etc.) numbers always provide caller ID to the called because they are paying for the call.
<p>
This has always been the case.

[snowbear]

2. Why are Freepers so good at mobilizing their braindead members?

Seriously :shrug: -- some how, some way, they are incredibly successful at freeping, manipulating, and mobilizing their putrid posse.

How much do you want to bet the 20 yes for every no was by Rethugs and Freepers?

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Nebraska is a pretty red state

There are a lot more of them there than ther are of us.

[WhiteTara]

8. all the more reason to call

we can't play dead or we will be

[Ian David]

4. The GOP probably hired a phonebank to do it

There's probably a call center in Pakistan calling senators saying, "We like you!"

[WhiteTara]

5. don't let that stop you! Eric took about 10 minutes

to tell me why. I think they would like to hear from the base. Get your call in! Set up a phone tree with all your friends and family.

[graywarrior]

9. Called his office. They're gonna pass on my concerns.

Call him.

[coffeenap]

13. Just did--same response. nt

[BlueManDude]

11. why should it matter how many phone call a guy gets?

so nelson just votes according to phone calls?

i really doubt this is true.

[rasputin1952]

14. I'm here in NE, and I called and e-mailed Sen Nelson...

I can believe he's caving in, this is a GOP state, and he's looking for re-election. he's a moderate D, that has done quite a bit for the state; that does no excuse him from voting for the bum, but I also think he saw the handwriting on the wall...:(

2006 midterm, we need to work diligently on getting the neo-cons out of power!