ADVICE PLEASE: I am canvassing and phone banking for the first

[timber84]

time in my life this weekend. Your advice on what to and what not to do is VERY MUCH appreciated!

[NMDemDist2]

1. no matter WHAT!! do NOT argue with anyone, be pleasant and polite at all times

if they HATE barak, just thank them and hang up, or go to the next door on your list.

have your talking points handy against "They'll raise our taxes, take away the guns, give free abortions... whatever" and have FUN!! let your passion and hope shine as you speak.

:hi:

[timber84]

3. Thank you, I have a quick temper, will keep it in check.

I am in the South and fully expect to hear some *nasty* comments.

[DevonRex]

24. I agree with the above poster about keeping talking points handy.

When I did phone banking I had each issue on a separate sheet and had them all layed out on my desk, to the left of my phone list. When someone asked about an issue I could go right to the sheet without fumbling around.

When canvassing, take note of the bumper stickers on the cars in the driveway. Every once in a while it'll help you direct what you say to the issues the voter has. And every once in a while it'll help you steer clear of an issue that might get the voter riled up.

Read what Obama says about abortion and how we may not all agree on that, but that we can all agree that preventing unwanted pregnancies is fundamental in preventing abortion.

Lastly, make sure you have phone numbers and email addresses for the campaign. Sometimes people want to volunteer. Sometimes people want to go to the website to read what Obama says about certain things.

[Shine]

6. Nicely said, AZDem

says Shine. :D


:hi:

[SIMPLYB1980]

2. I got this link when I asked the same question. Thanks for standing up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6946808

[timber84]

9. Thank you, I was wondering what I should and should not do

you pretty much summed it up!

[SIMPLYB1980]

12. You're welcome now get out their and make a difference!

:yourock:

[Jack Bone]

4. When canvassing.....Do not :

go into yards where there's a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign.

go onto some one's property, where there's a "NO SOLICITORS, PLEASE" or "NO TRESPASSERS" signs.

argue w/ someone at their front door. just thank them for their time and walk away.

that's about it...good luck & thanx...I wish you good weather!!

ps....I'll be out there Saturday, as well!!

[timber84]

11. Thank you

Charlotte, NC is supposed to be sunny and 72, yeah! Wishing you good weather as well.

[Jack Bone]

16. Oh and one more thing...well maybe a few..

Always use the sidewalks...don't cut across people's yards...if they have a gate to a fenced in front yard close the gate after you enter and leave...many people call their neighbors to let them know someone's making the rounds...be patient...sometimes people have young kids or cats or dogs to deal with after you've knocked or rang the bell...just remember to be patient & polite and you'll do fine!

[timber84]

20. I am hoping that Karma shows up for me, I have never been

mean or disrespectful to the Mormon missionaries or Jehovah Witness' that have knocked on my door a gazillion times.

[Neecy]

5. good for you!

Canvassing - wear the most comfortable shoes you have. Keep a water bottle on you. You'll find people aren't nearly as nasty in person as they often are on the phone.

Phone banking - If you get a real SOB, convince yourself that the next call will be an enthusiastic Obama voter or someone you'll be able to swing over to our side. Phone banking can be grinding but people really do like to be asked for the vote. Have fun with it and don't let the bastards get you down.

[glowing]

7. One thing, if you are speaking with older people, i.e., those near retirement

and in retirement, the future is NOT something they are mainly focused on... AND let's be real, the appeal in Obama is a younger person phenomenon because his future looks so much better than the status quo... However, Obama does have very specific issues that will help the elderly now and make there lives easier in the present time.. Bone up on his ideas on social security, medicare/ medicaid, and other retirement assistent programs that will allow seniors to retire in dignity and comfort. Also, don't focus too much on trying to get them to change their voter reg. to Dem if they are Rep... If they have been life-long members of the R's, then allowing them to remain, R, but switching their vote to O for this election season is probably easier to do.

Good luck.

[CatBO]

8. Bring a Bag with you... Stock it with...

If you are going door-to-door, have something to carry the following:

- Obama fliers with more information
- Felony voter rules for your state, if they can vote after serving their sentence (actually needed this one)
- Water for yourself
- Extra pens

Good luck and have fun!

[gratefultobelib]

10. I've been doing it for several weeks now. It's not difficult at all. You should have a

script provided by the team and just follow it. You will have a list with the voter already identified, so you will greet the voter, say who you are and state that you have a few questions. The idea is to identify the undecided voters so that they can be contacted again before the election.

You'll run into rude people, those who shut the door or hang up on you, but I'll tell you, it is such a kick when you get the Obama people and they're so glad you've called or came by. I only had one man we were canvassing who told me we were all going to hell because we weren't Christians, and I had to remind myself I was representing Obama, and I was able to politely walk off.

[Barack_America]

13. "Please" "Thank you" "Ma'am" "Sir" "I'm sorry to bother you", etc.

Also be sure to have a issue-oriented answer prepared for why you personally are supporting Obama. I found that a lot of people were interested in details, even if they weren't familiar with the issues. So people tend to turn off to vague "I think we need change" declarations.

For example, I'm a medical student and would introduce myself as a "medical student volunteering for Barack Obama". That would often cue people to ask me about healthcare, which is a major reason I support Obama.

So I would advise that you pick an issue (or two) that is really important to you and think of a way to compare Obama's and McCain's positions on that. Also, the economy is important to so many people so I would definitely be prepared to hear questions about Obama's plans for taxes, etc.

[Nite Owl]

14. I like the canvassing but hate the phone banks

In either case be polite and if someone is disagreeing then just say thank you anyway for your time and leave. Don't go into anyones home and if no one is home leave the literature with a note. Who are you campaigning for and are you going to dems only, indies or all? If it's just dems it will most likely be a great experience. Know your talking points. I also carry voter registration forms.

Phone banking... speak clearly and politely. Get ready for lots of answering machines and people not at home. I find it difficult and a bit frustrating.

[LittleClarkie]

19. I'm just the opposite.

I prefer phonebanking, so that if they rant at me I can say thank you for your time and I have my answer and just hang up.

I live for the answering machine, but then I know that person will be recalled later, so it's not terribly productive.

I usually start out by saying "Hi, I'm Erica. I'm calling from the Obama campaign. May I ask you a quick question?" Some have said not to say that last part, because it leaves you open for a no, but then again those people are generally not Obama supporters. So they get marked down as a refusal and we move on.

[LittleClarkie]

15. First, thank you for helping. Second...

If your campaign office is like mine, what you'll be doing right now is identifying leaners and undecideds. No persuasion calls. So it's pretty easy. Just don't take the nasty ones personally. You'll probably never have to talk to that person again anyway. Try to be as polite as possible, but remember you don't have to stand by for the abuse either. Say thank you and goodbye if they start ranting at you.

So far I've slipped up once when someone said "Well I certainly wouldn't vote for someone who kills babies". Before I knew it, out popped "No, just adults" (click!) But that's not what we're supposed to be doing, so I've gotta watch my short fuse.

Again, thanks for volunteering. That's what the campaign wants most right now.

[timber84]

17. I read your post about that, made me chuckle.

Don't know why I am nervous about it. I have the gift of "gab". Just not looking forward to the *meanies* I guess.

[LittleClarkie]

21. That's one reason I like the phonebank

You can commiserate with your fellow phone callers about the rude ones. It's good sometimes and kinda sucky other times. Monday night I helped an Obama leader find out where she could get an absentee ballot in her area. That made me feel good.

But like I said, you never have to speak to the meanies again, so you just let it roll off your back.

On the other hand, since I'm on an Obama team, I've also been making volunteer recruitment calls. Those are pretty decent. I just started doing that a couple days ago, and at least you know most of those are on your side.

[uponit7771]

18. VERY inspirational post, there's NO WAY McSame can beat this movement this time

[timber84]

23. Thank you, I feel the same way especially living in the South

so many more volunteers and just more of a presence than in 2004.

[NMDemDist2]

22. I forgot the most important thing

this is the pic of me they used in AZ training :evilgrin:

[timber84]

25. So I'm guessing I shouldn't wear my "friends don't let friends vote

republican shirt'? LOL

[NMDemDist2]

27. LOL probably not! but I always like to wear "patriotic" clothes so they don't think

I'm a religious person bugging them

:evilgrin:

[grantcart]

26. Its easy and fun

1) The key is that you are trying to identify more than persuade. Don't spend a lot of time with anyone one person whether they are for or against.

2) You will ask a couple of questions and rate them from 1-5 for level of support or opposition.

3) Do less talking and more listening. People will tell you why they want to change their vote. For example if a person says that there and independent or Republican - ask them what is the one issue that is the most important to them. If for example they say that they are a teacher then record that education is their most important issue. If you make a note saying; "environment" for example then the campaign will send out material specifically on the environment to them.

Once a person has let you know what they think is the most important issue you can spend your time talking to them about what they considier important, remember your issue is not their issue.

Good luck.

[Ioo]

28. HAve fun, and DON'T Take it personally if you get chewed out