I finally heard from a local Hillary Clinton volunteer.

[Lisa0825]

I am an Obama supporter, and signed up to volunteer when they first opened a local office here (Galveston County, TX) a couple weeks ago. I have actually been looking forward to hearing from someone like me working for the Clinton campaign, but so far, I only got a few robo-calls. Finally tonight, I got a call from a young lady in my small town asking me to volunteer for Hillary.

I politely told her that I was volunteering for Obama. Then I said, "But you know what? I think it is just plain FABULOUS that we have both Hillary and Barack to choose from. What an amazing time we are living in!" She said, "Oh, so you understand what I am doing too!" I think she meant that she sounded just a bit nervous making calls... yes, I know what that feels like when you are first getting started! I said yes, and good luck to her, and then we hung up.

I have gotten caught up in some of the crappiness around here. The volume of it varies in both camps at various times. No campaign here has a monopoly on decency or shitiness. Just remember the next time you get pissed off at the other side that most of us are pretty decent, and blow off whatever it was that set you off. This won't last much longer, and then we're going to be in it together again.

I made an intentional decision to be nice and encouraging to someone I disagree with tonight, and I actually hope it gave her a boost as she continued to make calls. A little more positive energy out there can't be a bad thing, right?

[TayTay]

1. I think that was wonderful

I think most people respond to positive reactions. You can advocate for your candidate without being so strident that it turns people away.

Hey, nice job.

[babylonsister]

2. Great post, Lisa! Thanks for the reality. And GOBAMA! nt

[peace13]

3. Yep, the high road while not always easy

is usually the most satisfying. You did good. Peace, Kim

[democrattotheend]

4. Good for you for being polite

And I agree with you that we have two great candidates, though it doesn't feel like it here.

My dad got a call from a Clinton supporter in NJ a few weeks ago, and he said he was not rude, but stopped the caller before she could make her pitch. I told him that next time he should at least tell the caller he was supporting Obama, so they could mark him down and not bother with him again. When I make calls, I don't mind getting a Clinton supporter that I can at least mark as such and give the campaign new information about whom to target. But it's really frustrating when people won't tell me who they support.

[BeyondGeography]

5. You have to respect anyone who sticks their neck out for a candidate and volunteers

nicely done, Lisa.

[wellstone dem]

6. Good for you

I too am always nice to the people who call, especially the republicans---because I figure it slows down their calling someone else.

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. Hey. Good strategy!

I'll remember that! :thumbsup:

[JohnnyLib2]

7. I am so glad to hear this.

And when you are both calling from the same office this Fall.....say hi.

[msedano]

8. a bit of kindness goes a long, long way

political callers are rank amateurs for the most part, working out of the goodness of their hearts and the courage to do phone banking. thank you for respecting their right to dial your number.

[Lisa0825]

10. Even though I have done it before, I STILL feel like a total newbie

each time I pick up the phone for the first time on a new day. It's like I have to get into a new groove each time. It is not easy to call total strangers to try to talk to them about something so personal.

[msedano]

13. good. that's a sign you care.

a speaker needs that bit of adrenaline, the flight or fight urge, coursing through the body prior to a presentation. it means you're involved, you care about how the other person is going to be impacted by your message. folks who just open their mouths and talktalktalk lack that commitment, they don't respect the time they're taking out of your life. at the same time, i would never allow a telephone caller simply to read a script at me. in fact, i tell callers "don't read a script to me. tell me what _you_ think about this."

[Window]

11. Way to go Lisa.

:thumbsup:

[femmedem]

12. Thanks! Sounds like you both represented your candidates well.

We're going to need more of that if we're going to come together and win in November. :applause:

[housewolf]

14. Great post!

This is my today's-favorite post. Thank you for it. Makes me feel better about DU tonight.

[Lisa0825]

17. Awwww, thanks!

:pals:

It made me feel good to have a good chat with the caller. She seemed pretty cheerful with the call too. Good vibes all around! :)

[NoSheep]

15. Right on!

[Catherine Vincent]

16. You have good intentions, Lisa!

:thumbsup:

[grantcart]

18. when i was canvassing for Obama Clinton supporters were very happy we

came by.

[Lisa0825]

20. When I went to NH and Iowa to canvass for Dean,

we always tried to be friendly to other canvassers we saw. I think there is something about seeing other people out and about doing what you are doing... it cuts part the BS that people are so free to dole out in an impersonal and anonymous forum like this.

[grantcart]

22. you are right - we get into cycles here where people remember

something somebody said that was negative and then look for payback lol.

I did find a lot of families where the couple was split Obama/Clinton husband/wife

[billyoc]

19. Good on you for that. Let the best campaign win, I say.

I talk to many Clinton supporters in the NY Labor movement, no animus whatsoever among us. :hi:

[OhioBlue]

21. I wish I would have acted with your grace today.

A co-worker that knows I am involved in the local party, that came to one meeting and hasn't been back asked me if I was going to a Bill Clinton appearance in the neighboring town. She said she was trying to find someone to go with. Instead of me taking advantage of the situation by saying how happy I was she was going, I just spit out "No, I wouldn't go. I support Obama and I don't want to hear his negative speech". As soon as I said it, I regretted it - I used the wrong tone. I made some phone calls and tried to find a Hillary supporter that might be going that she could ride with. Then I forwarded an e-mail that I had with the details of the event to her. But, I shouldn't have used that tone - it might be one thing that keeps her from becoming involved in the future.

[Mr. Mule]

23. Way to go!

Hi Lisa. It's really nice to know there are people still being civil with each other. I live in Galveston and work at UT Medical Branch. As a Hillary supporter, I've had several thought-provoking discussions with some of my co-workers. No one gets mad -- we just talk and let everyone express their views. Even though I'm outnumbered, I truly appreciate the passion they have for their candidate. I've been wanting to volunteer for Hillary, but my crazy schedule has prevented that so far. I'm off Tuesday, so I'm thinking about providing rides to polls. Anyway, thanks for the positive post -- it shows we're going to get through all this just fine.

[CitizenLeft]

24. yay you!

Very cool! :applause:

[Eurobabe]

25. Great attitude Lisa

But then coming from you, I am not surprised. :hug:

How's the kitties?

[Lisa0825]

28. Spoiled, but not rotten :-)

:loveya:

[Laelth]

26. Good karma. Kudos to you. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Marrah_G]

27. Your post made me smile- thank you for that and thank you for being part of the process.