Notes from the ground in the Lamont/Lieberman race

[Pale Blue Dot]

I've been calling likely voters (Democrats and Independents - Ned could care less about the Republicans)for several weeks now, trying to persuade them to vote for Ned Lamont over Joseph Lieberman. I've got a few interesting tidbits to share and one overriding concern/plea. Among the bullet points:

1. Getting out of the DU echo chamber has lead me to an important realization: most people, even those who vote in every election, are completely uninformed about the issues. They don't read even the local papers or watch much TV news;

2. Knowing the facts, and presenting them calmly but passionately, can change people's minds. During today's calls, I was able to talk coherently about the National Intelligence Estimate and the disastrous Medicare Part D plan, and I was able to move hardcore Lieberman supporters into the undecided category, and undecideds into the "Leaning Ned" category.

3. Cynicism is running rampant. I had several calls today in which the voter said, essentially, "they all lie. Lamont says he's for Universal health Care, but how do we know that when he gets there, he'll really support it?" What these callers were really saying was "We know Lieberman. We KNOW he's going to screw us. Why go with an unknown?" Again, being armed with the facts, and presenting them in a relatively non-combative way, helps.

And now, here is the overriding concern/plea: WE NEED YOU. Not necessarily for the Lamont/Lieberman race, but for your own local race. We need people who are well-informed on the issues, and can talk about them in a calm and coherent way. So I'm BEGGING here: PLEASE go out and make phone calls for your local Democrats. 1 phone call can make 1000X the difference that 1 DU post can make.

GET OUT THERE AND HELP YOUR LOCAL CANDIDATES TODAY!!!

[skipos]

1. "presenting them calmly but passionately"

That's very important, and I am glad you are having success with it.

"completely uninformed about the issues"

Which is exactly why we need good candidates who can make their message connect with these voters. It is an insane uphill battle to have a candidate who is great on issues but poor on selling it to your average voter.

[flowomo]

2. a good and thoughtful post with sound advice for all....

this Pennsylvanian thanks you for your hard work and clearheaded statement of the difference between Internet ranting and effective campaigning.

[babylonsister]

3. I've never mentioned this, Finnfan, but

I've really appreciated your CT updates and your activism. Thank you, and thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm 'doing' a parade this weekend in Houston to replace da bugman with Nick Lampson. If we all do something, we might be pleasantly surprised come November.
Thank you!

[Pale Blue Dot]

4. Thank you babylonsister

The important thing is that I'm not doing anything extraordinary - we ALL can make a difference.

I am cautiously optimist that we will have a lot to celebrate in November. :woohoo:

[bonito]

5. K&R n/t

[K8-EEE]

6. Thank You For Your Hard Work!

I live in such a blue area -- there is not much work to do here, I try to help other districts though.

[K8-EEE]

7. PS -- I Did Persuade An Ex-Pat Friend Living In the UK

to get an absentee ballot & vote for Lamont! I just remembered that, LOL....so you see there is some stuff that can be done, that was CA-UK-CT ROUND ROBIN, LOL!

[OneBlueSky]

8. the people you describe have been well trained . . .

to perceive themselves as consumers, not as citizens . . . through constant reinforcement in the media that pervades their lives 24/7, they are told that all of their energy must go shopping for and buying the lastest whatever . . . it's the American thing to do, don'tcha know . . .

simultaneously, they're constantly being discouraged from being active, informed, and involved citizens . . . they are told that unless they conform to the corporate/government line, they are being "un-American" and giving aid and comfort to "our enemies" . . . they're fed news that is nothing more than disinformation, mis-information, and/or no information . . . it's just another form of entertainment . . .

many people honestly don't see this . . . because it so completely violates their own strongly held perceptions of who they are, i.e. their personal identities . . . as consumers . . .

[CTyankee]

9. I've been calling for Ned also and found some of what you found

altho I am less successful in reaching people because I call on weekday afternoons. I had the seniors list for a while but have also been calling the target list.

The depressing news today is that Joe has a 10 point lead over Ned in the latest poll. That doesn't deter me from calling; indeed, it spurs me on. I figure folks need to know more about Ned. Some undecideds I've talked to don't feel they "know" Ned Lamont. And I think they reason that just because Joe hasn't been found embezzling or cheating on his wife or some such, well, he can't be that bad.

People are busy. I get an occasional activist who has a lawn sign and is energetically promoting Ned with their friends and neighbors but mostly I get people who will vote but don't get themselves informed. I guess it is up to us to do the informing.

Hang in there. I'll do the same.

[oc2002]

10. that counts me out.

when I encounter people that say "like hey all lie. Lamont says he's for Universal health Care, but how do we know that when he gets there, he'll really support it?" What these callers were really saying was "We know Lieberman. We KNOW he's going to screw us. Why go with an unknown?"

I just want to kill them. Waste of skin.

although I did send Ned money.

[oc2002]

11. The problem with Ned is he needs to go ALL OUT.

what does he have to lose. Call LIEberman a lier and disshonest politician responsible for the mess the country is in. over and over.

say he WILL PULL THE TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ. PERIOD.

how about, saying stuff that kills LIEberman.

Rally the base and WIN> duh?