Adventures in Phone Banking

[Coexist]

So I get emails today from Obama America and MoveOn.org requesting some quality phone time with them.

Cool, thinks I, I haven't done that for awhile (since Hackett, maybe - but I'm probably wrong). I log on and get my list - suburban Atlanta area code.

The first dozen numbers that I get a live person are (from the sound of their voices) elderly, women (all republican). One coos, "Ma'am, I don't mean to be ruuuuude, but I ne-vah discuss religion or politics. But you should know, I ahm a republican, that should tell you all you need to know."

Women who ah-doe-ah Mike Huckabee (if my calls were used as official info, he will sweep that state!) I have a feeling I am calling directly from a phonebook. Or the Official Registered Republican list.

I do get some bad numbers, several voice mails.. It is getting boring and tedious. I have a sister who lives in that area... I wonder, maybe if I keep going, I will see her name. Then I remember -even if I see her name, I won't get her. "Don't ever leave a message on my home phone, I just dump the voice mail every so often." She uses her Iphone (she is a decade younger than me!) for her main phone, her home phone is just for emergencies (i.e. her cell phone is dead.)

Will I ever get a likely Obama voter at this rate? At least someone for McCain?! Then I hear a voice without a tremor (even a barely perceptible one). She sounds young, out of breath. I begin my spiel - she stops me - "I will be voting for Obama, so will all my friends - we can't wait!"

She is happy to hear from me, that people are calling for him. I suggest she and her friends sign up. Then, going waaaa-ay off script, I tell her, "I am so glad you answered your phone, you are actually my first Democrat." She laughs and tells me that she only answered because she thought I was the cable company.

This makes me think - I check caller ID and if I am not completely sure I recognize the name or number, I let voice mail pick it up. How in the world do pollsters do it? And is this why they are no longer spot on, anymore?

Anyhow, I did a little searching between calls, and yes in fact, except New Hampshire, Obama has been outperforming his polls.

Yes, I have heard about the "cell phone" generation, who will never be polled, I have just never been smacked between the eyes with it. This election - they actually seem to be voting, not just talking. I wonder, if the Senator outperforms the currents polls by even 3%, he may just sew this thing up next month.

I am much cheerier to the rest of the sweet old republican ladies, even the grumpy young man who barks 'tell them #@**#$ to take my name of their damn list - I will never, EVER vote for a Democrat."

I marked him a "not interested" and tell him to "Have a nice day!"

[elizm]

1. Yes, phone banking is a thankless job!

I did quite a bit of it here in SC before the primary. But when you do get that answer that is polite, or better yet an Obama supporter, it makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it? :)

[FrenchieCat]

2. Awesome!

I'm thinking that too!

[murielm99]

3. I have phone banked.

I have done it for candidates in my area, and for the California recall, which unfortunately gave them Ahnold.

The elderly are a very reliable voting bloc, no matter what party they choose. The county and precinct level people develop accurate lists of likely Democratic voters, and keep them up to date. One of the precinct committeemen in my county goes to the local nursing home to find Democrats and help them obtain absentee ballots. We help some of the others get transportation to the polls to the polls when necessary.

Are the organizations you are helping working with the Democrats on the ground? You could help each other a lot. They would have cell phone numbers, too.

[Coexist]

4. I don't know - MoveOn is the only one I ever walked the streets for

They never gave me cell phone numbers, but I was just knocking on doors, so I probably didn't 'need to know'.

[NJObamaWoman]

5. You are braver than I am. I hated phone banking.

I went to the head quarters to do so. I was given the task to phone bank and if I get bored put Feb 5th stickers on Obama lit. So I made 10 calls and no one was there so I left messages (Its understandable because I was calling during the work day).That was the best part...just leaving messages. Then I spoke to 2 people. First was a mother with a college age daughter. I could hear the mom in the background saying that Barack Obama was on the phone. I laughed. The girl said she was undecided therefore I gave her more info on Barack etc.

The next person was the worst. Mind you, every phone called I made I was shaking in my boots because I'm a shy person. Well this woman picked up the phone. We talk and she said she was undecided. Then she tells me to give her a reason to vote for Obama. So I'm listing off reasons. She tells me to give her more. At this point I'm just like .... damn I don't know what else she wants. So I told her I will have someone else call her to provide more info. I felt so bad because I really wanted her to vote for Obama but I knew my shyness got in the way. I just don't like having to defend myself to someone. I say what I feel and if you don't like it screw it.


At this point I realized that my talents were best suited placing stickers on literature lol. But I will be campaigning tomorrow at some of our local churches.

[Coexist]

6. in case you ever get stuck calling again,

I keep the candidates website open in a different window the entire time, so I can look up information and just read off on stuff I'm not familiar enough with to answer off the cuff. It is very helpful.

[Emit]

7. You are to be congratulated, FLDem5, for your activism

Phone banking is a thankless job -- tedious as all get out -- and interesting, too, though. Keep up the good work.

[calteacherguy]

8. I am going to phone bank this evening from 7-9, after dinner.

And also tomorrow and Monday.

My list is all registered dems and independents in my neighborhood, which makes it a little easier. Best call I had so far was a 50-something woman I switched from Clinton to Obama. My best advice is to be polite and gracious, and if they don't agree with you, acknowledge the merits of who they are supporting, that often gets them to listen, which is the first step.

[Coexist]

10. I would have LOVED to talk to Dems and Indys!

but I'm a mom of 3, I'm used to doing work that is necessary and thankless.

[calteacherguy]

11. I talked to lots of indies tonight and EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS FOR OBAMA!

And the majority of Democrats I talked to were for Obama, too!

:woohoo:

[K Gardner]

9. Kudos to you, FlDem.. and thanks ! Excellent post :-)