A GOP encounter from my precinct walking today.

[benburch]

As some of you know, I recently became a Democratic Precinct Committee Person here in Elgin, and today I was out walking my precinct for one of our candidates, who is running for State Senate here.

I met a lot of people today, and only had the door slammed in my face twice, which is really good for this area, a Republican stronghold for decades.

One very surprising encounter was at a house with a Bush/Cheney '04 sign in the front window, and "Semper Fi" and USMC stickers on all the cars. Well, the owner of the house came out, and he had a very nice Marine Corps logo tattoo. And I introduced myself. The first words out of his mouth were "Well, I'm a strong Republican." and then he qualified it "A Reagan Republican." And so I followed up with "Too bad the current crop of Republicans are nothing like Ronald Reagan, though." And he agreed. He told me that he doesn't like the current republicans but he likes the Democrats less. And I told him, well, the issues central to the candidate I am representing ought to be issues that would represent your views, and I detailed how the candidate wants to shift the property tax burden for schools away from the homeowner and to the State, reclaiming the lottery money which was supposed to be earmarked for education, but which has been taken for everything else, and he agreed with that, and I then told him that we wanted to do something about the medical malpractice premiums that doctors in the state pay, and streamline the paperwork for medicare and medicaid to lower the cost of health care, and he agreed with that too... So I left him with the literature, and he said he'd think about it. And wished us luck in the campaign.

All-in-all a very hopeful story.

Thought I should share it.

-Ben.

P.S. GET OFF YOUR DUFFS AND GET OUT IN THE STREETS FOR THE PARTY. Yes, YOU!

[blm]

1. You did a great job by sticking to LOGIC. I find logic is appreciated

most in the long run.

[napi21]

2. That's GREAT! I suspect there are a lot of people who believe

they are Pubs, but if you can speak to them on individual issues, they might rethink their position.

[democrank]

3. Grassroots at its best.

Thanks for what you did today.

[elehhhhna]

4. is aureliol's pizza still open inelgin? yum. wah.

[benburch]

6. They're down in South Elgin now.

And yes, great pizza.

[stepnw1f]

5. Good Work Ben

Great story... I believe more and more Republican voters are becoming more and more independent. I can't say I blame them much.

[Maddy McCall]

7. That's good, Ben. When I walk my precinct...

(I'm on the Democratic Executive Committee here) I've never even had anyone slam a door in my face...most people will listen to me.

I've had people hang up when I called my list of voters, but no one's ever been confrontational to me.

Good news that the Marine took the literature. I've got a good friend who's a Marine, who served in Iraq, and he's hard-core anti-Bush. I think that the longer this war goes on, the more military members will come home and vote against Republicans.

[benburch]

12. I generally get along well with soldiers, working people, farmers, etc.

After all, I grew up here and spent my first decades behind the bar at my family's tavern, and met all types of people.

I was arguing politics when I was five, and have never stopped.

Some people I know will not go to a "Hard-R" house when walking precincts. I won't pass them up. My theory is that redemption is available to all, and that if I cannot convert them, at least I can discomfort them with the knowledge that Democrats here are not taking it laying down any more, and that we are going to give them the fight of their lives! And I've also noticed that when you are polite to people and get to know them over weeks and months, they become easier to reason with. Logic only works once you have broken down people's prejudices.

Anyway, this is the first time out in this precinct. I've done walking before, back when I was the Kucinich Chair for Elgin, but I was just appointed a precinct committee person in the last few weeks. But I'm quite certain that I shall know ever crack in the sidewalk by November. And we will WIN here in November.

What about where you are (not you Maddy, but everybody else)? Are YOU going to make sure the Party WINS in November where you are? Or are you going to be a keyboard warrior and watch as your candidates struggle alone? It is UP TO YOU.

[Maddy McCall]

15. Our next big one will be the governor's race.

We have to oust Haley Barbour. Rest assured, I'll be working my ass off behind whatever Democrat decides to run against him...and that could be either Mike Moore (our Dem AG who retired several years ago) or John Grisham (yes, the author, who, according to our state Dem chair, has expressed an interest in running).

[benburch]

18. Well, good luck on that! nt

[bobbieinok]

17. front-line stories after 2000 (what I heard)

a black woman pentecostal extremely liberal democrat was walking precincts.....she said she got very mixed reactions.....some republicans with signs asked her why she bothered to knock on their door; her answer 'God loves republicans too'

[sandnsea]

8. That's the way to do it

Talk to people from where they're at and move them off their position in steps they're willing to take.

[Xeric]

9. I'm in Elgin too

And unfortunately that fascist pig Jack Roeser seems to control the Repukes around here. I talked to our state rep. last year and she doesn't much like the rightwingers but can't get out from under their thumb.
This area should be more Democratic than it is. The state party doesn't seem to do much out here though. If the state Democrats get a chance to redistrict things I could see Elgin being the focal point of a Democrat cong. district (and maybe not one with a DINO). Push Hastert out to the west.
What always amazes me is the Bush signs on the small houses and trailers here on the east side. What do these people think they are getting from the Republicans? Nothing as far as I can tell. Talk about identifying with your oppressor.

[benburch]

10. Well, can we get you to come out and help?

http://www.elgindems.org/

We still have precincts that need committee persons, and we can ALWAYS use help!

[Xeric]

11. I'll be glad to do what I can

I'm not much of a people person, but I'd be glad to help out with the busy work etc. I'm actually in Hanover Township in the Cook County part of East Elgin but I'm glad to help out in your part of town.

[benburch]

13. We'd be glad to have you.

But the Hanover Dems would also be happy for help!!!

[Mr_Spock]

14. Sounds promising. Same issues would apply in my state actually

I wonder why people vote for Republicans who could care less about their issues?

odd...?

[MADem]

16. And THAT is how it is DONE!!!!

Calm, friendly, open, cheerful, empathetic, positive!

And your PS is right on the mark! One voter at a time!

[benburch]

19. People are going to judge the whole party by the person they meet.

It doesn't pay to be nasty or negative to anybody.

And yes, if everybody on DU could just reach the voters within five blocks of their homes and ask for their votes, we could have a Revolution in November.

And you know what? I think we shall.

[MADem]

21. ASK for their votes

A Tip O'Neill story....I actually heard him tell this one, many years back, but it is worth repeating:

Thomas P. O'Neill learned two great lessons from his first campaign. One lesson was learned on the last day of the campaign from his high school elocution and drama teacher, a neighbor who lived across the street from his residence. On that fateful day, Mrs. Elizabeth O'Brien approached the aspiring politician and said "Tom, I'm going to vote for you tomorrow even though you didn't ask me." O'Neill was puzzled as he had known Mrs. O'Brien for years and had done chores for her, cutting grass, raking leaves and shoveling snow. He told his neighbor that "I didn't think I had to ask for your vote." She replied "Tom, let me tell you something: People like to be asked."

The second bit of advice came a few days after the election from O'Neill's father. During the election, Thomas O'Neill, Sr., removed himself from his son's first election and left him to his own devices. However, after the election, he told Tip: "Let me tell you something that I learned years ago. All politics is local." During the campaign, Tip took his neighborhood for granted and did not work hard enough in his "own backyard." O'Neill took these lessons to heart. He would not hold his career aspirations over the interests of his constituents. The advice paid off: O'Neill served for fifty years in public office (sixteen years in the Massachusetts House of Representations and thirty-four years in the United States House of Representatives).

http://www.bc.edu/libraries/centers/burns/exhibits/virtual/tponeill/s-speaker/

[benburch]

28. Works that way with sales too.

You have to ASK for their business.

[undeterred]

20. Yay Ben Burch!

That is inspiring. I am having a fundraiser for my candidate (Bryan Kennedy) here in Madison tomorrow, in an area where the Republican party comes in THIRD!

After this weekend, though I'll be hitting the streets in the Western edge of Sensenbrenner's conservative district. I hope they've had enough of him after 28 years and are ready to consider voting Democrat.

[Ksec]

22. I live in a strong Dem area

mostly union Labor Democrats . Were surrounded by purple. Ohios south is like the deep south. The North is pretty much Dem. I do plan on getting active real soon.

[KharmaTrain]

23. Sounds Like The West Side...Where I Used To Live

The only elections to vote in when I lived and worked in Elgin were the Repugnican primary...anything else was pissing in the wind.

There's a definite split in the Repugnican party and Elgin sits in the midst of it...as I see a lot of libertarians who have been launching an all-out war within the Repugnican party that will ensure the GOOP doesn't have an elected statewide official after November.

I saw and knew a lot of those Raygun Repugnicans in the 80s (including a gym teacher from nearby Yorkville named Hastert) who are fiscal conservatives, gun nuts but can't buy into the religious right crap. It'll be interesting to see how many of these people stay home in November.

[YankeyMCC]

24. Thaks for your hard work

[Kerrytravelers]

25. You did good. Talking to people is how to enact change.

I, however, need to work on my people skills. I get too pissy at times.

[proud patriot]

26. Thanks For Sharing

:-) made me smile

[W_HAMILTON]

27. If he's a "Reagan Republican"

He can either refrain from voting, or vote Democratic, because it's obvious these Republicans in power now are not "Reagan Republicans."

If he continues to support them, they will remain in power, even though they do very little in the mold of Reagan.

Being blindly loyal to any one party is dangerous. If he's a "Reagan Republican," the Republicans in power do not share his same ideals, so why support them. Vote them out, then maybe some Republicans will return to the policies of Reagan, then he can vote for them then.

I'm a Democrat now because I couldn't stand how the Republicans ran this nation into the ground (plus I found out I identify with a lot of the Democratic principles). But if the Democrats regain power, and screw this country up as badly as the Republicans, I'm not going to vote them back into office. I want what is best for my country and myself.

[Canuckistanian]

29. Ben, you ought to clone yourself

If the Democratic party could get 50,000 more people like you, this country would be saved.

And by saved, I mean a return to the values that made America the relatively sane, responsible and respected country that it should be.

I sincerely hope that it's not too late.

-Just a little late night sentimentality. K&R.

:patriot:

[benburch]

30. I think we HAVE 50,000 such people RIGHT HERE.

We just need to convince them of this fact.

[UrbScotty]

31. I'm a soon-to-be precincct delegate in Michigan

...and am therefore better than you. j/k

If Granholm is re-elected, it will be because of grassroots people like my fellow precinct delegates and I. Dick DeVos is a billionaire and is already running ads.

If you want to see how horrible he is, check out the link in my sig line.

[benburch]

32. Good luck in Michigan.

Grass roots defeat television EVERY time.

[UrbScotty]

34. "Grass roots defeat television EVERY time"

Let's hope so. DeVos is an extremist who makes Topinka look liberal. Hell, he makes DUH-bya look liberal.

[benburch]

33. I was going to go out again today, but I'm lamed from yesterday!

Back in '84 I was in a head-on collision and dislocated both of my ankles - one of them badly. And sometimes they lock up when I've been on them too long, which is what happened. So, I'm hobbling around today like a gimp. :)

I think I'll just have to do this more frequently and for shorter times, and not try to cover the whole precinct in a day.