Just did an hour of phone calls for Abigail Spanberger

[underpants]

Got ONE person on the phone - didn't want to talk

Oh well. First time back into campaigning. Canvassing Sunday.

https://abigailspanberger.com/

[Va Lefty]

1. What's up underpants?

Hope you and your family are doing well!

[underpants]

3. Doing good

Hope your family is too.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I've been avoiding phone banks when I can-- tough to get someone to answer...

and often when they do, you are the 10th person to call that day. Once we had about 15 people show up to call and they all got the same list!

(And when phone banking, try not to think about how much you hate getting these calls yourself.)

I have no idea what the answer to getting people aware is, but phoning is largely obsolete.

[underpants]

4. I think it's a matter of habit and getting bodies in the door

I prefer to canvas but a lot of people don't want to do it physically or don't have a thick skin for it.

You develop the thick skin and frankly you rarely have confrontations. I hit at least 1,200 doors for Tim Kaine in 2012 and I had one real jerk that I ran into. Several Republican said no thanks but thanked me for doing what I was doing.

Phone banking is a way to get people who want to help in and make them feel part of the campaign. I heard a lot of good conversations around me yesterday I just didn't get any myself.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. My job has me knocking on up to 50 doors a month, so...

I'm used to having doors slammed in my face all year 'round. Not many, but enough to notice.

But, most people are decent and seem to prefer the personal contact. (And, I haven't found a better way to get petitions.)

I admit I'm overstating it saying phone banks are obsolete, but they ain't what they used to be.