That was my reaction only a few years ago. I know that, as we head into 2008, there will be more and more posts here on DU about the pros and cons of working on campaigns ... and in the hope that a few people might be curious enough to read this post, I thought I would weigh in, a bit ahead of schedule.
Various other DUers have already been talking about their election experiences, and I would like to thank zanne and NewHampster, in particular, not just for all the work they've been putting in, but for inspiring me to add my thoughts as well.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1915551http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3583304&mesg_id=3583304Here, in no particular order, are some answers to questions that seem to come up frequently.
1) "Don't you have to be incredibly smart about politics, and have oodles of free time, to be able to do this sort of thing?"
Well, no. Not to imply that folks like zanne and NewHampster aren't intelligent, but I sure I don't consider myself to be a genius when it comes to political science or even local issues ... yet I've helped out with a half-dozen different campaigns since 2001, and I haven't been turned down yet. As for the time thing, the truth is that campaigns need volunteers, even ones who can only put in a few hours per week. And any volunteer coordinator worth his or her Rolodex will know how to help you find your niche. And the same when it comes to abilities. I don't particularly like random phone banking (I really cringe at the thought of disturbing people during dinnertime) -- but there are lots of other things that need doing. Like canvassing and literature drops -- or helping drive elderly voters to the polls on election day.
2) "Aren't the people who run campaigns really intense, scary types?"
Sometimes -- but then again, you can run into that kind of person at a bank, in a fast food restaurant, coaching hockey or soccer, or anywhere else you can think of. More likely, the people who are campaign managers and volunteer co-ordinators are everyday, down-to-earth folks who do not fit the "paid political operative" stereotype. The people I'll be working with this time around are stay-at-home moms and dads, retirees, schoolteachers, civil servants, fishermen, farmers, construction workers, actors, artists, nurses, students ...
On a related topic, you can sure meet some interesting people when you work on a campaign. I can't promise you fun, adventure, and romance (for that, go to the movies!) -- but you'll probably end up with some unique stories. As NewHampster points out, often the scenery is nice to look at. And several times I've been picked to go out canvassing with the candidate -- usually I would just stand there distributing pamphlets and smiling enthusiastically while s/he waxed eloquent about school board policies or farm subsidies, but it was still pretty cool.
3) "I have friends and relatives who are working for other candidates -- and even for other political parties. Suppose it affects my relationship with them?"
Well, you don't really have to tell them what you're doing, if you think it'll hurt their feelings. But it shouldn't. This is supposed to be a democratic society, and part of being a citizen is the right (and even obligation) to participate in the process. And there's the professional courtesy aspect to consider, too. Regardless of which party they're working for, campaign staff know that they have to deal with similar problems and issues in the field. I guarantee that somewhere, there is a Republican volunteer who would totally agree with NewHampster's sentiment that "The undecideds all wanted us to leave them alone until fall", and that it probably wouldn't take much to collect a whole roomful of campaign workers from across the political spectrum who would soon be swapping war stories and drinking coffee together, just because they've experienced the same kinds of situations.
On a more serious note, pollster Michael Adams has been researching North American attitudes towards politics for decades, and he points out that the real gap is not between the "red" and the "blue" voters, but between the politically-active people and the ones who do not even bother to follow the issues (or vote). He feels that the schism there is potentially even more damaging to the country's long-term future than the one between Democrats and Republicans. So if your friend is phone-banking for Obama and you are door-knocking for Clinton, the two of you still are in the same tent, so to speak. And even if you throw in the couple down the street who were leafletting for McCain last weekend, the four of you still have a lot in common.
4) "I'm scared. I've never done anything like this before."
Me too! This time, I've been asked to help run a federal campaign, in my district. I should note that I'm up in Canada, and we have these things called "snap elections". In a minority government situation like we have now (where the governing party has less than half of the total seats), the opposition can call a "non-confidence vote", and there'd be an election. This could happen in less than 2 weeks, when Parliament reconvenes ... so there might be a vote called as early as the end of November. As you can imagine, all the parties are scrambling to get candidates and throw together campaign teams. The folks in my district are so desperate that they've asked me to step in ... and I've agreed, in case they can't find someone who's already done the job, by the time the election is called. I'm worried that my lack of experience could tank the entire campaign -- but the candidate seems to think that I can do the job. I thought about it for awhile, and then realized that I've never had a chance to work for someone who believes in so many of the same ideas. And for sure I'd learn a lot more about how the electoral system works. So I said yes.
5) "What happens after this?"
Good question. You might decide that you don't particularly enjoy any aspect of campaigning, and never work on one again. Or you might become a "returning regular" -- coming out to help, every four (or two) years, and taking on more duties as you gain experience. Another possibility is that you might end up becoming part of the crew that runs the party organization in between elections. This is what happened to me ... I joined the party executive for my district, and served as recording secretary. I'm almost 40, and I'm one of the youngest people in the group (which does wonders for my self-esteem, since in my regular teaching job I'm surrounded by people who are young enough to be my children). Based on what I've heard from friends in the States, these local organizations are also desperately strapped for new blood ... so it is possible for even a handful of committed people to make a real difference.
I hope that people feel free to add in their thoughts and opinions here. I have to admit, Democratic Underground played a significant role in persuading me to get politically involved, back in 2001 -- and for this upcoming election as well.
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