How's GOTV going in your area?

[cmd]

I made more than 300 dials today and was able to talk to people or leave messages on most of them. The house was full in the morning, but traffic let up in the afternoon and evening. It's football playoff season here. Not many wanted to work. We had a full slate of paid canvassers out. They make eight dollars and hour and earn every cent of it. Most of the canvassers are low income men and women who are greatful for any work they can get.

My biggest irritation is the "official" staffers who stand around talking when there are empty phone lines. I have little respect for them. They zoom in from out of state to help out, but do little work. One coordinator was running around like mad answering questions and helping everyone. The out of towners watched. I'll say a good word for one guy who asked for a phone list and said he might as well make some calls; that he had nothing to do at the moment. He was my hero of the day.

[ClassWarrior]

1. I did doors today, I did a bit of lit-dropping, I did about 100 phone calls...

...and I enjoyed some delicious food provided by campaign supporters. I'll probably be doing the same tomorrow. Lots of buzz and excitement. We could sure use more Dems helping out though!

:patriot: cmd...

NGU.

[cmd]

3. Thanks, ClassWarrior

It sounds like you had a very busy day. I think it is going to pay off this year. Tomorrow I will phone bank in the morning, then I have to do desserts at the County Hog Roast Rally. Monday is another day on the phones. On Tuesday I wlll be busy with the election day party most of the day. I'm going to miss the excitement at HQ.

[John Q. Citizen]

2. Our door canvass team logged 2000 contact today for Tester for Senate

in MT. Talked with a lot of nice folks. 2 more days until show time. Keep up the good work!

[cmd]

4. Great work, John Q.

How is the weather in your area? It was pretty crisp outside today. I felt sorry for the canvassers. They were freezing when they got in.

[John Q. Citizen]

15. It was a balmy 48 degrees, very unusual for this time of year. We have

a paid organizer, who is a great guy, and the rest of us are volunteers.

I did professional field canvassing for three years in the early 90s with a $600 a week fund raising quota, so this is a piece of cake, no fund raising and I get to knock on doors again and chat with mostly Democrats.

I love it.

[sweetladybug]

5. I live in Robertson County TN. My sister in law and I went canvassing today

We handed out info for Governor Bredesen, Harold Ford Jr and other Democrats. Most folks had all ready voted but got a few that need rides to the poll to vote. Tuesday we'll be busy taking folks to vote.

[cmd]

9. Thanks, sweetladybug

It will be fun taking people to vote. If you get one that is going to vote R, just open the door and shove him out.

[wellstone dem]

8. I got you a vote in MT from my daughter on friday.

Nagging works wonders.

[cmd]

10. One vote at a time.

They all add up. Great job.

[John Q. Citizen]

18. We need all votes we can get so thank you! By the way. Wellstone was my

political hero.

[spag68]

6. I did phone bank work

here on Long Island and was disappointed at the people I got on the line. Only got about two out of ten, many machines, and a few said they were not going to vote. One said if he got one more call, he was going to vote the opposite way, out of spite. I think there should some brainstorming on how to do this gotv stuff better. The rethugs have an advantage, as they are calling the fundys, who have nothing better to do then rave about liberal immorality, whereas we seem to be cold calling. I did however get a few who were listed as independent, who were going to vote dem. At least there was that, but I was left feeling that there has to be a better way.

[cmd]

12. I can't figure out those non voters

They have so many silly excuses for being lazy. Thanks for phoning. Some days go well, others don't. Tomorrow will be better.

[ClassWarrior]

17. One thing our State Party doing is targeting folks who voted Dem...

...in 2000 or 2004 but don't typically vote in the midterms. That way, we're calling friendly voters, telling them how important this election is, and urging them to go vote. I'm surprised NY isn't doing it that way.

NGU.

[cmd]

20. That's what we are doing

We spent several months id-ing people. Now we are calling the supporters and the registered Dems. Of course, one or two Kool Aid sippers slip through every day.

[Infinite Hope]

23. That happens a lot. Doorknocking is far more effective...

and meets with less resistance unless you knock during the supper hour.

[justgamma]

7. I'm horrible at making calls.

I'm willing but bad. I'd feel better if I was alone in a room. I don't mind doing it though. The supporters I talked to seemed enthusiastic. There were only a couple of rude people.
I've never volunteered before so this is all new to me.

Just before I left a couple of younger girls (maybe 19 or 20) came in. The one had called for 5 hours the day before. They were naturals.

Oh well, I'm going back tomorrow.

PS the Puke headquarters is right across the street and was dark all day. It is rarely open. Our office is open from 9AM to 9PM.

[cmd]

13. I think you are wonderful at making calls

Just remember to smile. People on the other end of the line can tell. Just keep looking across the street, that should bring out a big grin.

[John Q. Citizen]

21. It's always harder when you start out new. it gets easier the more you do it.

Remember to actually physically smile while you make your calls. It comes across in your voice and that's the key.

Thanks for all you are doing. Democracy requires that people do something to make it work, and you are doing it!

When we take back the House and (cross your fingers) the Senate, you will own a piece of it.

[wellstone dem]

11. 4.5 hours of door knocking in Central Minnesota

It went pretty well except for one hostile nutcase. (Why do they have to scream and yell, they could just say they support the other side, and if they feel the need, explain why.)

[cmd]

16. Go figure

I got one on the phone today. As I was countering his comments, the whole room got silent. I could tell everyone was listening to the conversation. When I hung up, they burst out laughing and gave a cheer. You just have to laugh at how silly they are. Thank you for your work.

[John Q. Citizen]

22. Fear and loathing in Minnasota? (Somehow that makes me smile)

If you were unfortunate enough to identify with the Republicans, how would you feel having to to rationalize to yourself supporting this bunch of extremist non- conservative assholes in power?

I almost feel sorry for those lost souls. They are in so much pain, and they can't figure out why, so it must be your fault!

Sigh...

[OhioBlue]

14. Not bad in my little red county...

We only have a handful of volunteers, but got through 4 of our 6 canvass packets today and will do the other 2 tomorrow. We're also more than 1/2 way through our first round of GOTV calls that started Thursday. (Once finished, we'll make another round of calls to those we did not reach.)

For the first time ever in my County, we also have lists, targeted precincts and volunteers to check off those that have voted from the hanging lists and call those that haven't voted on Tuesday.

One gentleman in the HQ today commented that there hasn't been this much activity since the 80's... and it's a midterm!!!!

[cmd]

19. We've come a long way since Redfern took over

Our phone lists actually make sense this year. I wish you could come over to Tuscarawas to see how many paid people the DNC and DCCC have sent in. The place is crawling with them. I'm worried that we won't get through the GOTV calls one time. We have the phone lines, but not the volunteers. Thanks for your work.

[John Q. Citizen]

24. Howard Dean is remaking and revitalizing the once great Democratic

Party. The fifity state stratedgy is working better than even I thought it would, and believe me, I did think it would work.

The world is run by those that show up, and showing up is half the battle.

Just think about how many Congressional Districts are in play this year. It's mind boggling.

And of course all the other down ticket offices will benefit also which only puts us in a better position for two years from now.

We work our asses off for 2.5 more days and then Tuesday night we party!

[OhioBlue]

25. Dean's strategy is spot on.

He gets it. We should have a 50-State strategy and stick to it.

I do have to say tho... that it isn't so much Dean's strategy (other than maybe a morale boost) that is making things happen in my County. It is the fact that Democrats have had it, people that were never involved before see the importance of becoming involved, etc.

One legacy that Bush does deserve is the fact that he took things to such an extreme, that he inspired idle Dems to become active participants in the Democratic party and flipped many Independents to die-hard Dems. Rove is no genius. His views are actually quite short-sighted. The Republicans have been building infrastructure and momentum for 30 years. It just took Rovian tactics to piss the country off and make them rebel. The Conservative movement has been stopped in its tracks and the Public has been shocked out of its slumber.