Got another "It Happened to Me Story" for those so inclined to doubt.

[Pacifist Patriot]

I was out in the garage this morning trying to find something. I have not showered, I'm still in my jim jams and my dirty hair is pulled back into a ridiculous looking half-ponytail. So of course who spies from my across the street and heads over? A threesome (two men and one woman) of beautifully coiffed and manicured Republicans who introduce themselves as working for GOP GOTV.

I smiled and in a very friendly manner said, "Oh, you don't need to waste your time here then. I'm working on getting out the vote for the Democrats."

The lead woman looks puzzled, checks her clipboard and says, "Did you switch parties?"

Ah, so now I know why they headed over. My husband has a name that can go to either gender and is registered Republican (this way we get their mailings and robo calls so we know what tactics are being used), in reality he is an Independent who tends to vote Democratic.

Anyway, I said, "No, I've long been a Democrat. It's my husband who is registered Republican."

She looked more excited and came a little closer up the driveway. I smiled and said in an extremely friendly manner. "Oh you'd be wasting your time with him too, he's already voted for Obama."

She looked absolutely floored. Shocked. Astounded. Just couldn't get a grip on the thought. She stuttered, "Really?"

I said, "Absolutely. There's not really much of a choice this go round is there? My husband cannot believe the Republican party would nominate someone who is barking mad and pair him with a joke (absolutely true statement). But hey, good luck today. I know what you're doing is hard work. Thanks for participating in the process." Waved and went back inside.

Got it out in a nutshell and despite looking like something the cat dragged in, it felt pretty darned good. Yes Muffy, there are people who can conceive of a different world than the one you seem to want.

Now if anyone wants more I can tell you the story of the poll call I got the other night and how I educated a paid pollster (he was great!) why you cannot logically make pro-life and pro-choice the two options when asking about abortion. ;)

Edited to fix some shockingly bad typos.

[Demeter]

1. Good Job!

Maybe it will sink in (where there's life, there's hope)

[elocs]

2. I think it is outstanding for you to thank them for being involved in the process.

Good for you, as well as being able to say at the time the things we all later wish we had said at the moment.

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. When my husband said that shortly after the GOP convention...

It was burned into my brain like a brand. I've been dying to use it, so when the opportunity came up it just rolled off the tongue. Can't beat months of mental preparation and fantasy conversations, eh? :)

[hisownpetard]

8. I was impressed, too, by the graciousness of that remark. I never would have said

something that kind!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. I want more!

Your response to the GOTV workers was so spot on, and yet so kind and respectful, I can't wait to hear what you said to the pollster!

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. He was obviously a paid pollster and not a volunteer.

I'm pretty familiar with polling so I could tell that a) it did not contain any push polling and b) it was bought by the Republican candidate for state senate.

I went above and beyond the multiple choice responses.

For example, when he asked me if Candidate _______'s recent campaign activities gave me a higher or lower opinion of the candidate I responded, "Considering his lastest activities have been devoted to negative attack ads that not only distort the truth about his opponent but tell blantant lies about him, I'd have to say lower.

So we get to the abortion question and he asked if I was pro-life or pro-choice. I responded "both." He paused, obviously not sure what to do.

So I told him that the choice of options makes no logical sense whatsoever. You can be pro-life or anti-life or you could be anti-choice or pro-choice. If you are going to ask for opposing positions then you must make sure that the two-positions are antithesis. You can't give people two pro- pro- positions and expect them to be able to make a logical choice. Same with anti- anti-. The position stance must oppose, but what is being placed in opposition must be the same.

The only legitimate question you could ask is if someone is pro-choice or anti-choice with respect to abortion. If you frame it as a pro- or anti-life question you've muddied the waters too much and now you've introduced all sorts of issues such as state sanctioned murder, universal health care, assistance programs, and so on. Besides, who is going to say they are anti-life other than some nutter. You could ask if someone thinks abortion is ethical or unethical, but then it's a personal question and not a matter of statute.

He was a great guy and we ended up chatting about Halloween and which adults in our respective households would be taking the kids around and which would be home passing out candy.

[GardeningGal]

12. Great response. I need to remember that for the future.

I hope you don't mind if I borrow it.

[Pacifist Patriot]

18. Not at all. I had to lead a seminar on George Lakoff's work once upon a time...

and that was one of my examples, so it's an easy one for me to address.

[tosh]

23. You are good!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

28. great argument

Thanks for sharing!

[Schema Thing]

5. I want more

I'd like to read your argument on pro-life/pro-choice

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. See #11 if you haven't already

[tosh]

6. Please....give us more!

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. See #11 if you haven't already.

[L0oniX]

7. You were way to nice ...I would have told them to go f*ck themselves!

At this point I am totally hostile toward any repukes. I usually start out by asking if they are bigots or racists which puts them in the defense mode. Let them explain why they are not racists. If they say Obama is a Muslim or terrorist then I know they are racists because rather than tell you they are racists they use the lamest excuse/lie about Obama. That is why they come up with these lame reasons for being anti Obama, to hide the fact that they are racists.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

9. Nicely done.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

10. Nicely put.

You were very kind.

I doubt that a Republican canvasser would come near my house - we have 3 Obama signs in front and the car has the Obama bumper sticker and a No on 8 sticker. It has to make them just pass on by.

But you were very nice - One correction - Sarah Palin is a Dingbat and a Joke. :P

[monmouth]

13. Wow, gracious, brilliant and a Dem at the same time. I'm very impressed....LOL..n/t

[merh]

14. Good for you.

Of course, once you said you were a dem they understood your attire and probably thought it your every day appearance. After all, we are just kooky, dirty hippies that like our lattes when we are elitely drifting along in this existence, practicing our socialism. :sarcasm:

:silly:



thanks for all you have done and for thanking them and setting them straight. :hi:

[calimary]

15. YES I'm sure I want to recommend this thread. Rock-solid certain.

EXCELLENT! Great logical argument on the pro- versus pro-.

BRAVA!!!


:headbang: :patriot:

[greenmutha]

16. K&R! I love how you so politely put them in their place...

and your Pro-life/Pro-choice argument is SPOT ON! :yourock:

[uponit7771]

17. Thanking them for being involved was first class, they can't say you're one of the rabid ObamaBots.

[beac]

21. K&R for being smart and classy while wearing PJ's!

:applause:

[woo me with science]

22. Well done. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

24. Super job!!!!

:thumbsup:

[Willo]

25. Good stories and information

in the OP and post #11.

Thanks!

[Laelth]

26. Nicely done. n/t

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[smalll]

27. But, but, why didn't you scream at them to "get the fuck away from me" ?

I'm confused. ;)

[Terran]

29. I like your approach a lot better

than the DU'ers who have been screaming and cursing at, and insulting, repubs. Thanks for needling them with politeness!

[Pacifist Patriot]

31. I am a member of the clergy with a relatively high profile as a progressive in my...

conservative community. The last thing I need is a report in the paper of me acting like an ass. I've sure felt like screaming and cursing but I've found uber-politeness is far more irritating. :evilgrin:

[BlooInBloo]

30. hahahaha! pwned!