Why can't I get anyone off their asses to canvass?

[DesEtoiles]

I guess they like losing.

[rpannier]

1. And they like complaining

"It's tooooo hot."
"I'm tired"
"I don't have time." --- But they have time to watch and vote for the next american idol. Kinda screwy IMO.

[cally]

2. A little more information would be helpful

I've found that folks come out and volunteer very close to election day. It also takes many phone calls to get folks to agree.

[WCGreen]

3. Perhaps 100 days out seems like a long time for people

They may be saying it's a hundred days away while we are thinking there are onlyu 100 days left....

[Guy Fawkes]

4. They'd rather lose and blaim it on a Third-Party

[MoseyWalker]

5. Have you tried

pouring honey over them?

It could work.

[bdamomma]

6. our privilege to vote to some people mean nothing

the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had a vote recently and everyone was out to vote, they showed one old woman who started to walk at night just to vote, those people had not had a vote in 40 years, maybe we should not take our voting process for granted.

[calmblueocean]

7. What's canvassing like?

Can you tell me what a typical day is like from start to finish? What do you say when someone opens the door?

Maybe these sound like stupid questions, but I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.

[DesEtoiles]

8. actually it's really fun

both times I have gone I just showed up, not knowing anyone

but you know - there is nothing better than the fellowship of good democrats!

You will get a little orientation - you will be handed a clipboard with paperwork:

1. script: "Hi, I'm ______. I'm volunteering for ____________..'
script can be a page or two long - where the candidate stands, where the opponent stands

2. "walk list" - a map showing the part of the district you are walking
usually takes about 2 hours, maybe less, to cover it

3. list of Dem or N voters on your walk list

You pair up with someone else - both times I didn't know anyone, but you know - that's the best way to start meeting new people. Both times I had great partners.

Your partner has the "odd" address numbers, and you have the "Even". Most likely, you'll need to drive from the main meeting point to your walk list area.

Then you and your partner each walk down your even or odd side of the street and hit the listed houses.

Actually I thought it was quite fun. No one has ever asked me really a question or interrogated me. Usually I just give short blurb about who I am and the candidate hand out the literature. If possible you confirm the info on the voter list and try to get an email address. Then the campaign enters the info and has better list for mailings, GOTV, etc.

It's really a little adventure and it's a great opporutinty to meet the candidate personally and hear a few words from him or her.

Be posistive. And think about the goal - WINNING. You know the GOP has boots on the ground much more than we do.

[calmblueocean]

9. Thanks. I've been thinking hard about it.

I feel fairly shy and I hate to bother people at home. But then I think, if I don't do it, who will?

[DesEtoiles]

10. Right. You actually start honing your mini-speech as you go,

based on the feedback you are getting.

And you feel like - I AM DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!

[Make7]

11. Someone just started a new Israel/Lebanon/Hezbollah thread. Gotta run! n/t

[globalvillage]

12. I think it's fun.

I'm canvassing for Gov Rendell this weekend. Great way to really get out and talk to voters, and IMO, it's a lot more effective than a phone call.

[Tsiyu]

13. I'd love to be out working for the Dems

if someone could tell me how to make gas money fall out of the sky.

My Honda has been running on fumes for weeks.

Poverty makes one feel rather useless.

But if you can do something, go for it.

[BensMom]

14. Oh Canvass

I am a very experienced canvasser. LOVE IT.
What a good way to spend an afternoon - and make real friends.

One of the biggies is to not force ideas on anyone - and never be angry rude at the door if you run into the opposition. (and you will)


You may get invited in for a snack..gather mementos and certainly ideas and views.


How about hosting an after event pot luck or barbeque? Everyone will have stories to share.

GOOD LUCK!