WE Will WIN The ELECTION IF You READ THIS And KICK IT!

[matcom]

look. i was going to use a catchy thread title like, "What Did YOU Do In The War DUers?" (or something like that) but screw it. i have said this over and over in DOZENS on individual threads but its DAMNED TIME this got its own.

here goes.

i see MANY posts asking, "HOW can I CONVINCE people?" or "HOW can THEY be so STUPID?" or "HOW can they BELIEVE THAT?"

well folks, it is YOUR OWN FAULT! (oops, Matcom is "insulting" me)

no, i am NOT!

look people. this is a WAR. there is TOO MUCH at stake in this election. WAY TOO MUCH!

What Can YOU Do?

<standing on soapbox>

I have converted, so far, SIX PEOPLE. FOUR are voting for Kerry and TWO will either vote Kerry or NOT VOTE AT ALL. either way, that is SIX CONFIRMED WINS. I have FOUR more who very well may slide our way.

the MOST IMPORTANT one is my retired (CIA counter-Terrorism specialist) FATHER who has NEVER voted DEM but will in November. YOU know all about him by now and if you don't, do a search. HE EVEN TOOK AN AFTERNOON AND ATTENDED A WILL PITT SPEECH IN NORTH CAROLINA!! THEN HE WALKED UP TO WILL, INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS MY DAD AND SHOOK HIS HAND!!!!! It is amazing to me how FEW of you have PM'd me asking how I did this. The collective question you didn't ask then is:

HOW MATCOM Did You EVER Do THAT?

Solution Follows In ALL BOLD:

Make an email distribution list. Set it up. EMAIL this list EVERYTHING you can find in the MAIN-STREAM MEDIA that shows what Bush, his cabal, this war, their agenda REALLY IS. Make SURE it is from 'credible' news sources. Do NOT use sources that they might find immediately questionable. No conspiracy shit. No editorials UNLESS they are from NATIONAL sources and can be backed up with FACTS.

Do NOT under ANY circumstances add ANY COMMENTS to these emails. NEVER. Do NOT send simple links, COPY & PASTE the articles in their ENTIRETY. Use the DU LBN rule: The Email Subject Should Contain the EXACT article title.

You WILL get responses EVENTUALLY. Refrain from engaging in heated email debate. If approached in person by a friend or coworker, simply state that "I thought you might be interested." Some will tell you they don't read them. The do. Keep sending it. MIGHT you lose a friend or two? YUP. MIGHT YOU CONVERT ONE OR TWO? YUP (and you probably will).

While you are at it, send them the PNAC web site. Let them read for themselves. I have personally found that to be the most DAMNING URL out there.

You HAVE to have the guts to do this. And KEEP IT UP. ANYTHING you run across that is legit and 'newsworthy' is fair game.

Are you too afraid? Don't want your coworkers and friends and family to think your some "raging LIBERAL" (that damned "L" word). Do you have the GUTS to counteract the LIMBAUGH LIES?

I have but ONE more thing to ask then:

"WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR DUERS?"

We are about to have 1000 individual donations to this site. If THIS POST does not garner AT LEAST 200 replies of action. I will be VERY disappointed (NOT for vanity reasons either).

Oh yeah. Some Housekeeping:

</soapbox>

[TheWizardOfMudd]

1. OKAY!

I'll do it.

[VolcanoJen]

2. Non-Vanity Kick!!

mattcom, you are spot on, my friend.

One heart, one mind, one voter at a time. This should be our fuckin' MANTRA!

I marched down to the Board of Elections, raised my hand and became a Deputy Registrar. It took all of three minutes. I left the Board with 200 freshly-printed voter registration forms.

I am now up to 12 first-time voters, each committed to Kerry, registered and with marching orders. I will not quit. I will not tire. I live in Battleground Ohio, and it is my mission to have an effect, however slight, on delivering my beloved state to Kerry.

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DUers??

Keep it kicked... share the love and the passion.

[Arugula Latte]

64. Right on, VolcanoJen!

Good work!

[VolcanoJen]

74. I've waited my entire life for a purpose.

It's arrived, and I know what it is, now.

It is my distinct pleasure to change one heart, one mind, one voter at a time. Every morning, I wake up and say to myself, "Who can you charm today? Who can you register today? Who can you persuade today? Who can you annoy today, only to follow up a few weeks later?"

Thank you for the kudos, Oregonian... and thank you for this kick-in-the-ass thread, matcom!!

WHOSE FLAG? OUR FLAG!! WHOSE STREETS? OUR STREETS!!

[Vickers]

3. I've got 2 confirmed converteds, and I'm working on at least 4 others

But dayum, I have to get right in the face of some of these folks. Sorry, it's my combative nature.

[loudsue]

4. Matcom....you forgot something....

All of us have gotten these smarmy right wing e-mails that spin the truth like cheap polyester fibers.

1) Don't hesitate to "Snope" the darned things, and return the smarmy e-mail with "reply to all". Even though I have 2 cousins who won't speak to me because I've done this, I've told them that if they're stupid enough to send this crap to me, they, along with all their dope-headed buddies who might believe such crap, are going to have to hear the truth.

2) When the smarmy right wing e-mails don't warrant time on Snopes, I "reply to all" with refutations of each and every item in the e-mail that has another side to tell, or the logical conclusions of those stupid ideas, should they decide to follow the line of reasoning to its logical conclusion. AND POINT OUT what the logical conclusions of their sound-bite patriotism is.

NOW, FOR YOU, MATCOM!

What does your dad say about the prison abuse thingy? Does he think this goes to the top?

Does he think that the CIA are going to blow bush into the next century, for trying to pin blame for all America's woes on the CIA and FBI?

I've been waiting to hear from Dadcom on those issues!!!!

[matcom]

10. you are CORRECT! i DID omit that!

and you are RIGHT AS RAIN! counteract ALL THE BULLSHIT EMAIL that you receive. hit "REPLY TO ALL" and slam them!

as for your questions about Dadcom:

of course he thinks that it goes to the top. THE VERY TOP

as for the CIA. he thinks they are BULLSHIT at the agency and that the Plame scandal will likely be what does Bush in.

caveat: he isn't really sure WHY it hasn't happened already. probably because POPPY was once in charge of the agency. his take is that THAT is the only thing that has saved junior to date.

wait and watch

[Mz Pip]

20. I always answer

ConservaSPAM. I get it from my RW cousin and now he sends it to me for me to debunk. I think he was seriously surprised to find out that so much of that crap is lies.

This summer I am hopefully planning to go to Ohio and do some work for Kerry.

Bush must go. I will drive people to the polls. I will write letters and I will donate money.

MzPip

[WolverineDG]

39. how i've handled conservaSpam

(love that title btw)

this year, i decided i wasn't going to take it anymore, so anytime my conservative cousin & a conservative friend sent me that stuff (always as a blast email), i'd go to snopes & blast back.

well, my cousin has stopped sending me emails like that all together; my friend, on the other hand, is now sending me stuff first, saying "i can't find anything on snopes about this, have you heard anything?" heh heh heh

i think she's now leaning away from bush, & i know it's because of the war (she & her hubby are former AF). i'm hoping that's how i'll get my cousin to jump ship (he's retired Navy); he's already disenchanted w/the way bush is running the economy & the budget.

so, if you haven't tried the snopes tactic already, start doing it. it does work.

dg

[Randers]

79. yes

I have sent some emails and do my best to counteract the RW shit, but I will send more. You have inspired me.

[Kukesa]

66. I've lost some friends, too.

I've been "Snope-ing" those stupid emails, too.

My success rate isn't as good as any of yours, but I won't give up.

Thanks for the pep talk.

[calimary]

124. DAMN STRAIGHT, loudsue.

NEVER, EVER let one of those smarmy-ass emails go unanswered. EVER. I do the same thing. Don't know about the "reply all" function. All I did was write a rebuttal point-by-point, and then reply to sender. THEN, I went back to sender's email and cut-n-pasted the email list that CAME WITH this email, and pllugged it into the "To:" and hit "send." Awkward. Not very technically-correct, but it did the trick. I've done that three of times.

Result #1 the sender stopped sending me political stuff and from then on has confined it to jokes. However, her brother or brother-in-law (or maybe sister, dunno) someone whose sign-off was a mere first initial with her last name attached, couldn't determine the gender, wrote me a couple of angry emails with ALL the knuckle-dragger phraseology in it, including "Where were you 9/11???" limbaugh would have been proud. (By the way, it WAS INDEED "Where were you 9/11," and not "Where were you ON 9/11?") We had to agree to disagree.

Result #2 two other senders stopped sending me any political stuff and from then on he and she, both, have confined it to jokes.

You MUST - repeat - MUST respond to these stupid-ass emails that smarm "Thank you pResident bush!" or sarcastically - "Thank you, President Clinton" - or the one I really loved: "Why I love cowboys!" I posted the reply I wrote to that one, here.

You'll accomplish the following, as loudsue has explained:

1) You'll piss somebody off.

2) You'll educate (convert) someone.

3) At the very least, you'll send a VERY clear message to these people that their right-wing knuckle-dragger propaganda is WASTED on you, and won't accomplish the sender's objective. Therefore, if this is annoying to you, you can stop it dead by doing that. I have never since received any of these, from these people, OR anybody else. I guess the word got out. These people know better than to send me crap about how wonderful bush is or how horrible Clinton is/was. They just know better. Because I do NOT hesitate to set the record straight, and I DO NOT - repeat - DO NOT allow them to have the last word.

DO IT. It's one voter at a time. One mind at a time. One conscience at a time. Until the Kerry people get their surrogates out there full-speed-ahead, it's up to us as individuals, "civillian surrogates," if you will. WE are the unofficial, civilian, "non-pro" Jedi Knights here. I, too, have had the pleasure of converting a few people, or pushing a few waverers over the edge to sanity. It's MOST satisfying, as you'll discover (if you haven't already)!

[fearnobush]

5. Nice Post. I too have several converts and people on the fence

who will vote Dem as they never had before. For one, I have helped an other sister of mine to see the light. She just got her teaching degree. I like to use Bush shit issues that effect people personally. With my sister, the Nazi "Teachers Union is a Terrorist Org." quote was really all it took to show her the light.

[jono]

6. KICK

I've sort of been doing this with a few people, but I'm inspired to flesh out my list and hit them hard. Going to do that right now!

edit: I also encourage people to carry voter registration forms with them. I met some kids on a bus who gave me a stack, and I've potentially registered a few new voters as a result.

[jono]

75. kick

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Good agressive tactic

I'm admittedly lazier than you. My goal is to merely multiply my vote X 10. So far I've registered 4 democrats that have never voted.
It's my belief that there are many more dems than repubs....The problem is that they don't vote.
I think (hope) this election will bring them out of the woodwork.

[laylah]

8. I'm in!

We WILL kick Republican A$$ in November, NO doubt about it!

I like the mantra,too VJ

Jenn

[mzmolly]

9. Great post. Bookmarking ...

Thanks!

[opihimoimoi]

12. A kick from the Opi

Good thread Matcom

[mzmolly]

11. Hey can you get your dad to write in his words why he is voting for Kerry?

That might be compelling for some of us to say "a friends father has decided to vote for Kerry, this is what he has to say..." etc?

If you both are comfortable doing so ?

[matcom]

14. he wouldn't be comfortable but...

i have posted MANY of his and my conversations here. they have NEVER been anything but his exact phrases. i have NEVER embellished any of them.

dad isn't about to become a regular poster on an internet message board. hell, if McCain were running, Dad would be voting for HIM. point is, Dad is ABB and Kerry is the alternative. while he DID re-register as an INDY, he isn't anywhere NEAR Liberal.

he is ABB.

THAT is the point

[mzmolly]

27. I figured he was ABB, and that's a compelling enough case.

I didnt think he'd actually post, but thought perhaps you could articulate his *concerns* with the administration with his permission... I also thought perhaps you may have some corespondance that he would allow you to share?

My husband converted several people also. Unfortunately some are voting for Nader, but hey ... it's one less Bush vote.

My husbands parents RW fundie types are also considering staying home or voting for Kerry. But that remains to be seen.

[slor]

13. I feel like an ACE...

I have 11 converted. Working on 3 more semi freeper types.

[matcom]

16. you ARE an ACE

can we shoot for 20 maybe?

for YOU ACE!!!

[Beetwasher]

42. Not Only Have I Converted People, But a Couple of Converts

are now actively trying to convert their conservative friends and coming to me for advice and information.

[gristy]

15. I've been doing what you suggest for some time now

though I don't think very many on my list are repukes. Six at most. I may eventually convert a few, but they might not even tell me. But that's ok. One prick blocked by emails. He used to be a pretty good "friend".

[stellanoir]

17. yeah I agree this is going to take incredibly persistant

efforts because if HR 2239 & S 1980 are not passed and they're looking pretty grim with all the distractions we're enduring. . .we've gotta win by a landslide to counter the 30% of the population who will be voting on electronic voting machines.

Yeah we've truly got amazing momentum but don't be lulled into complacency just 'cause we've got a 5% lead in the polls.

This sounds incredibly cynical but I'm just praying we've got better hackers than they do. 'Cause that's very simply what I fear it's going to take.

[loudsue]

32. You're absolutely right, stellanoir, we need to WIN by 30% to un-do

the edge that the black boxes will have on the election.

This is the NUMBER ONE KEY to the election....winning by 30%, at least!

GW WILL contest the election and demand a "recount" when it goes to Kerry, because he KNOWS he has control of the black boxes. And what he'll learn in the end, is that he LOST the election by over 30% -- that same 30% he's been counting on!

I can't wait!!!

But it surely means we have our work cut out for us!!!

[LibertyorDeath]

18. Already have 2 converts with similar strategy. This works...

Keep it kicked.....

I'm in Canada BTW

Got a friend in Reno & American friend in Vancouver to
convert.

[rucky]

19. I honestly don't know any convertable Republicans

BUT - I've gotten 8 people to agree to vote for the first time. and yes, they will vote Kerry.

I do post to listservers - mostly satire from Fiore & the other flash toonsters - on a gaming list, a Christopher Walken list (don't ask), and a natural petcare list.

[JohnLocke]

21. Two converted.

Working on other two.

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

22. I have 4 converts and

am working on more wherever I find them...even when I run with my mates I open their eyes a little more.

It's easier to do when the facts are on your side.

I have emailing folks for most of the last year.

It's working...

[matcom]

23. your DAMNED RIGHT it works ABB!

THANK YOU

[RoyGBiv]

24. Two Converts

Two that I can peersonally attributed to what I've been doing. I know a few more (3-5) who have converted without much prodding.

I'm focusing on voter registration. I know a lot of people who don't like the status quo, but never vote. So, my first step is to get them registered ... "Hey, since we're driving past the tag agency, whey don't we go in and get you registered..." And on election day, I'll be my own private shuttle bus to make sure these people actually go vote.

I've managed to get seven people to register who never had been. All will be voting Kerry and Carson (OK Sentate ... Repub retiring, open seat).

[mhr]

25. I Have Done This For Over A Year - Roughly 300 Articles Sent

No One Has Asked To Be Removed From The List Ever.

[JNelson6563]

26. I am a General in a smaller battle

Managing a State House campaign.

I just resigned my Membership Chair in order to do it too. But not before I sent out 1462 letters of invitation to newly registered voters in my county to join the local Dem party.

Party building, fundraisers and getting more Dems to both State and US congresses will help tremendously too. We can't make the mistake of laser like focus. The race for the WH is only one of many.

While Kerry's got my vote other races are getting my efforts. Kerry will benefit from the trickle-up IMO. If we get folks to join the local parties and local party efforts, as well as working for Dem Cong. camapigns you can be sure they won't be voting Bush.

Julie--fighting this battle on many fronts

[MoonRiver]

28. OK, I read and now I'm kicking.

Now my superstitious mind doesn't have to worry that I lost the election by not reading and kicking!

Seriously, you make a lot of sense matcom. If we all do this, and I can't guarantee I'll pull it off completely, the momentum will be huge and Kerry will win in a landslide.

[matcom]

29. that's the beauty. YOU only have to send THE NEWS

its THAT easy! how many votes did Bush* "win" by?

what if 1000 people on this site converted 2 people before November?

what if.....

[MoonRiver]

30. Yes, people just need to be informed.

I'd also suggest sending the secret service website to everybody who's draft age or has a draft age kid.

[kimchi]

31. I'm working on my neighbors-who don't have internet.

And I'd like to think some of the people I have talked to that I'll never see again will vote against Bush.

I forward stuff all the time and rarely get responses. I also use Snopes when I get forwarded junk.

I don't know of anyone I can take direct credit for; but I like to think I've helped some people see the light. I'll try harder. Thanks for the "gentle" nudge!

[Cleita]

33. Right now I think winning the election is the easy part.

Making certain Kerry gets sworn in as President will be harder.

[ibegurpard]

34. Good advice Matcom

[fishnfla]

35. I respectfully disagree

I admire the enthusiasm, and hope there are 30,000 views and 2000 converts, but the truth is, to win the election, it is:

A) all about money and;
B) motivating the base to get out and vote

We have to out-rove the other side. You cant get a Zebra to change its stripes to win the kentucky derby.

Here's hoping this post, 30-something, is wrong

[matcom]

37. i will tell you your wrong right now

HOW many votes did Bush* "win" by?

look friend. read the posts in this thread. add the converts up so far. when the PEOPLE are presented with the FACTS, they make the right choices.

how the HELL can you be against this? how the HELL can you think (after all the proof) that this will WORK?

*scratching head*

[fishnfla]

47. because I trust our base more than a group of fickle cross-dressers

Because I have ALWAYS been a Democrat. Swing voters are gonna get in the booth and pull the D for president and the R for everything else. And they will never donate money or volunteer for our causes and in the next election they will hope in the other guys beds like a whore.
I dont want people I cant trust on my side.

[matcom]

49. "fickle cross-dressers?"

what the FUCK are you talking about?

your post is

what an assinine fucking post

[fishnfla]

57. you should take some of your own advice, my friend

you are swearing at your own team! I would, never.

Look, give me all the anecdotal conversion voters you can, great. The fact of the matter is, if the base of our party does not turn out to vote, we lose.

This is a basic tenet of politics, one that Karl Rove plays like a harp. We have to beat the man at his own game.

Our strength yesterday, today, and tomorrow, is solid Democrats.

[matcom]

58. the BASE is already turning out

and you KNOW damned well that they will

doesn't make your above post any less disgusting. i am talking about converting CONSERVATIVES. it CAN and IS Happening.

i'm making the effort as are hundreds of others. WE will make the difference in this election NOT somebody who dismisses them as "fickle cross-dressers"

take it somewhere else pal.

you may be on "my team" but i don't (so far) much like your playing style. especially on a 'get out and do something' thread.

[fishnfla]

60. Geez man, I'm sorry

I'm sorry I ever said anything. I would point out that the second syllable was I used was "respectfully"
Never mind

[matcom]

61. nope.

how i convert people is described in my original post.

may i ask you? what have YOU done?

besides of course hoping that the "cross-dressers" don't start campaigning

[fishnfla]

62. In the pa$t 3 year$, me and Mr$ fi$nfla have done 15 thou$and thing$

we have a different under$tanding of politic$ around here. We u$e our voice$ thi$ way.

again I am sorry

[matcom]

63. money is nice but it don't tell the truth or win votes

your $100 here and there won't spread the word friend

get out on the streets and spread the truth

stay away from those cross-dressers though

[fishnfla]

71. tell me about it

The circles I'm in , I am the cross dresser! As a white, professional male (in the south), I can tell you, that conversion voters are few and far between from where I'm sitting!

Thats why I just smile,nod to keep my job, and count on our teammates. And as Ol' Cool Hand Luke himself said:

"kick a buck"

[usregimechange]

36. Good to hear a task action request, here is another

Go to the activism forum and help me with the yahoo outreach or post your idea there and we can get to work.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[matcom]

40. who have YOU converted GrovelBot??

GET TO EMAILING DAMMIT!!

[JohnLocke]

43. LMAO

[stevedeshazer]

41. Four conversions, more on the way

I'm also working on voter registration.

[Kathleen04]

44. Voter registration is great too..

I just got my blank voter registration cards in the mail the other day now I just have to get out there and get people to fill them out.

[Kathleen04]

45. Only one convert from me so far

Hopefully more on the way.

[Emboldened Chimp]

46. kick

[Aunt Anti-bush]

48. You are right!

And I've been doing it. I've got a couple converts and even talked my mother into voting for the first time in 31 years! I'm also writing letters and making phone calls to media, senators and so on. And I'll continue until * is GONE!

[calimary]

125. Good-good-good-good-good!

To assist you further, just for the record, yet again...

PLEASE NOTE MY SIG LINE – TO CALL YOUR REPS, TOLL FREE!!!

OR, TRY (877) – 762 – 8762. It’ll get you there, too! (Thank you, DUer redqueen!)


Please note, here, The World's Greatest Lists of Media Contacts – updated May 5, 2004– in the following thread:

LINK:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

IF THEY THINK WE DON’T CARE, THEY WON’T, EITHER!

[Beam Me Up]

50. I've been working at this for months.

Not always without comment as you suggest. Nevertheless, I've been targeting specifically younger people (20s)--people who often don't vote or vote without much awareness of what the issues are. I know several of them have become quite active and many of them are in on-line gaming circles --which tend to be fairly RW reactionary, WOT gung-ho and all that. It is definitely having an impact.

Most everyone I know closer to my age group is already firmly Democratic. No one at my work place will vote for Bush (small business).

In any case, I concur that the most important thing we can do right now is EDUCATE other people around us with information that comes from reputable sources and yet is mostly overlooked by the mainstream.

BMU

[Zhade]

51. What the hell - a kick of optimism

Even though I wonder if there will even BE an election...KICK!

[matcom]

52. What Did YOU Do In The War Zhade?

help the process out. convert a repub today!

[SharonAnn]

65. My approach is different. I used to be Republican, 20 years ago

and I changed to Independent and then to Democratic Party.

I live in an affluent area with lots of Republicans and whenever a Republican view is being bandied about it's likely that someone will ask me about it. As in "Don't you agree?", knowing that I'm on the Democratic Party Executive Committee here.

So, that often gives me a chance to answer and I often say something like this, "Well the tax cuts might be great if they weren't using my Social Security money to pay for them. I'm the first generation to every pay MORE into Social Security than was needed at the time to help cover myself in the future. Now I'm afraid it won't be there and it's too late for me to make some alternate plan."

Or, "Well, what I'm really worried about is that I've been out of work for over a year and so has our son. There just aren't the kind of jobs there were a few years ago."

Or, since most of these people are grandparents, "Well, I'm just really worried about the debt we're building up. How are my grandkids going to pay that off? We had so much to help us, like schools and colleges, but they won't be able to have that if they have to pay off the debt."

I just found that I'm no good at attacking even though I have the facts, but it seems to work if i express a particular concern as something that "I'm concerned about."

Also, if I can, I try to find a way to say that I had to quit voting Republican because they weren't supporting my values. My values turn out to be their values.

[Zhade]

78. I'm more of a soldier than a preacher.

I have little patience for lockstep morons, sadly.

[dmr]

53. Agree

I've found if I leave out the emotion (which is not easy to do), and approach this clinically, or bi-partisan, I have more success.

I decided to not judge their belief system. No one wants that put-down. Besides it's arrogant. I just give them the facts and let them absorb and come to their own conclusions.

Here is one example of my neighbor who told me a year ago that Bush* is the only person who has the guts to stand up and fight against Saddam who is responsible for the murder of 3000 people. Gore would never have had the guts. I told him back then that 911 might not have happened under Gore and a few other choice things.

My neighbor is a Longshoreman working on the bridges in Manhattan, a dangerous and backbreaking job. I have been waiting for the right moment to have a discussion with him, and one night he and his girlfriend came over, and the discussion got started. We talked about 911 at great length that night.

The following evening, he came over to ask me some questions about things I had told him that kept him awake the night before. We talked further and then the discussion went to the war in Iraq. We have had similar talks since, but I try to be as bi-partisan as possible.

To make a long story short, he re-registered from Republican to Democrat. He has convinced his brother, father, and just this week, his uncle to register Dem. His brother told me he has also convinced a few of their co-workers, too. He is so angry, he's on a quest to convince others they have been duped. There is still a lot of aching in the hearts of New Yorkers. Bless his heart. He's just too damn cute at it too!

My neighbor is a product of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. I told him early on, that the only thing is if you don't believe me, all I ask of you is to turn off Fox and Limbaugh and read the papers, open up to other news sources, and to remember what you hear and compare it to other things you learn along the way. You will be able to compare fact from fiction, fact from spin.

BTW, at one point, I told him at the rate it's going, the Longshore union that he enjoys, that gives him his wonderful benefits may someday in his lifetime be just a club; a club without any clout to protect it's workers. While I said this, I had C-Span on, where on the Senate floor, they were discussing overtime.

[matcom]

55. you ROCK!!

and they told two friends.....and so on....and so on..... and....

GREAT WORK!!

[Qanisqineq]

54. I would convert people

but I don't actually know anyone that needs converting! My family is full of democrats, the people I work with are all very liberal, my friends are all liberal.

Ok, my sister but she is beyond all hope being a recent born-again Christian that believes Curious George was actually annointed by God. And I never see or talk to her anyway.

[matcom]

56. email her

even SHE could "see the light"

[wellstone dem]

93. You sound exactly like me

down the the fundamentalist sister. I do think I have my mom convinced not to vote for Nader in November and will carry voter registration cards. I am also a meetup host for Kerry, after not being very involved in politics for 15 years (did a little door knocking and did donations) I'm back at work.

One suggestion, if possible get phone numbers for the folks you register so that you can remind them to vote in November.

[wellstone dem]

95. I also email to "known liberals"

hopefully to move them from "voters" to "workers".

That emailing is easier because I can broaden the sources I choose from.

[calimary]

126. THAT is important, too. If your friends are all Good Guys, you can bet

THEY know some Bad Guys. THEY may need the information to enlighten some of THOSE folks, while they themselves are already among the enlightened. You may arm one of your fellow foot-soldiers EXTREMELY well for this battle. Better than you know, in fact. Not all of them read DU, or have time/energy/inspiration/recognition to seek out the facts on their own. You will be helping them.

I had a friend who now calls himself a "recovering republican" tell me repeatedly the other day, over coffee, that he found the breadth of my knowledge quite amazing, and in fact, supportive of some of the things his liberal wife had told him, but for which she didn't have quite the details or the corroboration. As it happened, I did. And while she knew enough to scratch the surface of the ground around the highrise, I knew enough to take her efforts down to the bottom level of its parking structure.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY WAYS TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY, OR TO SPARE ANOTHER SOUL FROM BECOMING SEDUCED BY THE ENEMY. MANY WAYS.

EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING YOU DO WILL HELP!!!

[anarchy1999]

59. Philosophy we live by, One person, Every Day, One Day at a Time!

IT WORKS! Talk to your waitress or waiter. Talk to the store clerk. Every chance you get, say something. You would be surprised.

Last week we were having dinner and had a charming waitress. She was 25, was very excited, she had a new job, she had never heard of Halliburton! We had just come from our weekly Halliburton protest! She apologized to us for not knowing and asked for more information.

Point being, it is all about education. We have to take up where our "press" and "media" have left off.

[LWolf]

67. Great plan.

I've been walking on eggshells here in my conservative repub stronghold; there are plenty of democrats around, but they stay "hidden," because the newspaper, local radio, local city councils, state reps, and congressional rep...conservative, bush-loving republicans all, bring out the big guns at the slightest wisp of a hint of objection to the powers that be. Still, I've done much the same in conversations with them. I don't say I'm a democrat; I don't offer a political opinion. But I do bring up current events on a regular basis. And let it set with them. So far, one friend has registered as a democrat for the first time this year. That's just one. Another, in a more open conversation, is considering Kerry. She was planning to vote Nader (again) out of frustration, but I think she is coming around.

That's 2. Two drops in a barrel, but 2 drops that weren't there before.

[loudsue]

68. This deserves another

kickity kick....

[MrBenchley]

69. Amen!!

[Arugula Latte]

70. Two Questions:

How do people who register voters approach people? I have some blank cards, but I feel I need tips on how to open the conversation.

Also, does anyone have a factual list of the "lowlights" of Bush's record suitable to put on a one-page flyer? I'm thinking of printing some up to put on cars, etc. I know there are dozens upon dozens of outrages to use and I was hoping someone has already done the work so I can copy and paste.

Thanks! Oh, by the way, Kick!

[struggle4progress]

81. I've actually done this in an organized way several times ...

The Party picked precincts in my town which seemed majority Democrat, and teams of us just went door to door registering voters. Response was good, but of course you never know if the people actually go vote.

Years ago, also did this on a college campus: set up a table with a big sign "Register to Vote" on a main street and let people come up and register. The downside with an blind approach like this: you may register more Republicans than Democrats. *sigh*


For a good long list of reasons to boot *, go to http://www.thousandreasons.org /

[Polemonium]

137. GREAT SITE

Spreading the word

[amazona]

72. six wins -- that is excellent

OK, I read your post and now I'm replying to it, so I hold you to the promise that this means we will win.

I've got one former non-voter registered and guaranteed to be a vote for Kerry. I can't do the emails, I block all CC and mass mailings, so can't fairly expect others to read carbon copy emails from me. But we can probably all find someone, if only a family member or friend, who has not voted in past years and who has had enough of the current mess. If every Democrat registered just one new person, I think it would be a landslide.

Even talking to people is good. I was talking to a former Nader voter today, and I could tell she's still a little shaky on Kerry -- I feel I got her excited about him again. Either way, she says she's definitely voting for him. No more Nader.

[matcom]

73. we WILL win

[Unperson 309]

76. Go for it!

My problem is this: I don't personally **know** anyone who os conservative, any more.

My parents have died, ditto my wife's. We were both only children, so no siblings, no aunts, uncles, cousins etc, who aren't already liberal. My editor is already a flaming lib, as are my co-workers.

I'll think of *something*...

309

[stickdog]

77. Yes. It works.

However, for some, one message every week or two is all they can handle without freaking out on you.

[cally]

80. Registering voters

and working on co-workers.

[keithyboy]

82. Been there and done that. I chalk up 16 people converted.

If every true DUer would make it a point to convert 10 people and ask them to convert 10 (you know, the grand pyramid scheme) we will win it going away.

I have another plan of attack also. Stay home on Memorial Day week-end. Don't drive anywhere for the entire week-end. If only half of the drivers in each state did this it would send one hell of a message to Bush and his oil buddies. Whatever is lost in business will be worth it.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

83. Le Kick. I agree with the part about using nationally recognized

media sources. The point is, if the source is a lefty blog, it defeats the goal of trying to convert people because RWers, even wishy washy ones, will immediately disregard such sources and will not only never read it, but probably disregard anything you have to say from that point on.

I even provided a link to FOX news (where they had the .pdf file of the Taguba report posted), that'll screw with 'em! "You don't expect me to read your commie pinko website... uh never mind." Although they probably have some kind of subliminal shrubco advertising if you hang around too much there.

[spanone]

84. Kicking matcom

[IkeWarnedUs]

85. I never asked you how you did it Matcom

because I already figured it out myself (over a year ago).

I have not only developed an e-mail list, but I have passed out over 6,000 copies of "The President's Real Goal In Iraq" from the Atlanta Journal Consititution at Chicago protests and meetings and 2,000 copies of "This War on Terrorism is Bogus" by a member of the British British Parliament in DC last October. I have also hosted informational groups at my house.

And, if the money I have coming actually comes through this month, I will not only make a substantial donation to DU, I plan to make a trip to DC to meet with some Congress-critters to make damn sure they know about PNAC.

Having said that - great post Matcom.

[matcom]

123. that is WONDERFUL!

keep up the GREAT work!

we can do this. really we can

[Eye and Monkey]

86. Amen on the drive to convert - whatever your techniques.

Some of us use different strategies, with equal effectiveness.

[Euphen]

87. Well, I read it . . .

but Kerry probably would've won even if I hadn't.

[Bundbuster]

88. What I'm doing is providing the AMMUNITION

I spend virtually all of my free time collecting, organizing, and regularly updating 650 links & 1000 images (more than any website I've seen), covering every issue in this war against bu$hCorp - I do the digging & posting, you cruise it and use it.

It's a Group called "bushbusting ammo", and I urge every DUer to join and invite others as well. This Group holds enough ammunition - designed for quick & easy access - to convert all but the truly hopeless.

This is what I'm doing in the war:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bushbusting_ammo /

[BattyDem]

89. kick

[DemExpat]

90. Kick for great post with good ideas!

DemEx

[laylah]

91. Kickin' it! n/t

[molly]

92. You know we are PROUD of you and

your conversion of your dad.

I do everything you do - I send out links to articles posted here on DU.

WE WILL WIN in November!!!

[Merlin]

94. Doin it now. It works!

Been doin it for about 6 months.

You're right. It works.

Forget the hard core rightists. Focus on those who are mostly apolitical but essentially decent, intelligent people.

It really does work!

[matcom]

136. KEEP IT UP MERLIN!!!

and THANK YOU!!!

[Nobody]

96. Bring voter reg cards to protests

Hand them out to everyone in the Anti-Bush crowd. If they're not registered, they should be. Urge them to vote.

If you know someone who is about to become a US citizen, help them register to vote. Tell them how easy it is.

If you know someone who is about to turn 18, help them register.

Incidentally, I know three people who voted for Nader in the last election who are now voting for Kerry.

[Sophree]

116. I register people to vote at my store.

I keep registration cards behind the counter and give people a stamp.

We've also discussed giving people discounts on purchases when they register.

I've converted at least 2 hard-core conservatives. Might I also point out it's important to keep your Independant and Left-leaning friends informed as well. I've heard a few of them repeat right-wing talking points, particularly about Kerry. DO NOT LET PEOPLE BE SWAYED BY THE LIES AND BULLSHIT!!!

[Bettie]

97. I have begun to set up my email list....

starting with the guy who keeps sending me "joke" emails about how awful liberals are. Oh, and my two Limbaugh spewing brothers too....


Thanks for giving me direction here!

[Name removed]

98. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[supercrash]

99. AND........

Your dad witnessed the actions, record deficits and backdoor deals that came with the Bush sr. administration....AND STILL VOTED REPUBLICAN

We don't need that kind of person calling themselves a Democrat, people like your dada really piss me off, how dare they try and return this war like a cold bowl of soup at the deli...this is what they wanted...it put us all in danger, their reckless views put us all in danger

Yet they see it fit to just flip flop....

[matcom]

101. my father is NOT a Democrat

and i NEVER claimed that he was.

not sure why i am bothering to explain this to you but here goes:

obviously my dad's conversion (and the purpose of this thread) is to show that if you give someone FACTS that their 'main stream media' WON'T give them, they can be converted.

nice use of the "flip-flop" RW talking point though. wonder where you got it from?

[matcom]

100. "you are hardly progressive"

nice flame bait. read the whole post. if you are intelligent enough to understand the CONTEXT of my statement then you won't act like an ass. if you aren't, then oh well....

[supercrash]

104. sorry to be so harsh...

But these johnny come lately's have me pissed off

Your dad voted republican even after Clinton took over and was turning the country around

He voted for George W. Bush...and supported a unjust war in Iraq that put us all in danger and debt....and now I am suppose to be calm when I find your dad standing next to me ...?

I don't think so

[matcom]

106. tough shit. don't dare apologize now

he did NOT support the Iraq war.

you make a stupid assumption. i turned dad 2 years ago

quite frankly you sit on your ass and say you don't want or care about converts. you claim to scream about this administration. fine.

i, and the other people in this thread are actually DOING something by educating people because their media has failed them.

you don't want them around? fine.

sit on your ass and do nothing. do NOT disparage our efforts (or my converted father) with your bullshit

[molly]

119. Did you make a conscious decision to be a DEM?

better late than never.

[duhneece]

102. Thank you Matcom

I will follow your suggestions.
Dang, I feel stronger and more hopeful just reading all these posts than I have for some time now.

[frank frankly]

103. i've turned about 10 and registered 10. i work at a college & more to come

i am working hard on my dad.

yesterday he said he would vote for Kerry/McCain, but he would MUCH rather it be McCain/Kerry.

i think he will flip soon. he is a kind man and waking up to the fact that BushCo are MONSTERS.

we are very active here in pittsburgh, but lots and lots and lots more work to do.

thanks for the tips. you are an inspiring fellow...

[MuseRider]

105. Thanks Matcom.

I have found that the most difficult part of this process, mine has been a little different but I will start an e mail list today, is staying calm when they begin to question Bush*. I get excited way too easily but DU has been extremely helpful in providing me a huge range of ideas and I chose the one that seems closest to this persons heart. Selective and effective. I have converted several but at least one of them was smart enough to start questioning Bush* by himself. Way to go Matcom. Love your post and I salute you and everyone else on this board.

An aside. I was at a large horse show yesterday. Cattle cutting is quite the cowboy sport here in Red Kansas and the place was packed. I looked at the hundreds of trailers parked and did not see one single Bush* bumper sticker. The only talk of politics that I heard was an uncomfortable mention about Iraq. No bold Bush* statements, rather an embarrassed shake of the head if anything came up. Cowboy hats, spurs, chaps and no Bush* talk. It was pretty stunning in the difference from several years ago. Just a hopeful sign.

[calimary]

127. YOWZA, MuseRider! I remember your posting about this a few days ago.

You were yet to go to that horse expo and were wondering what the reaction might be there. Looks like you found it out. Thanks for posting this - I was wondering how that was gonna turn out. I think your suspicions are correct. If they were okay with all this, they'd still be out there swaggerin'.

[gator_in_Ontario]

107. Thanks

For the climbing up the butt booty *s*
I'm trying to convince my Canadian freinds to VOTE!
If I hear "It can't happen here" one more time I am gonna go postal on 'em!! The apathy is amazing

[spanone]

108. Another KICK for matcom. TOUCHDOWN!!!!

[thebaghwan]

109. We converted my wife's fence seating Aunt from Ohio when she came to

visit us a month ago. We sent her back on a mission from God. We even took her to the Bake Back the White House Bake sale in Kirkland, WA, she loved it and signed up for MoveON.

[SpartacusSC]

110. does this help?

I've only managed to convert a couple of coworkers. Does sowing lots of doubt and confusion among members of the Rep-tile base count?

[matcom]

114. ABSOLUTELY it helps!

every one that stays home is one less vote for Pretzel-Boy

[Amaya]

111. Hey darlin'!

I've been trying to convert my brother and gramma. I send things to my brother all the time. He's definitely coming around My gramma on the other hand is a hard nut to crack. She was a die hard Dem... then she started listening to RW radio spew. She's been brainwashed and I don't know if she can be saved?

Matcom

[ninkasi]

112. My contribution...

Bear in mind that I live in a rural area, and due to some health issues, don't get out a lot. Most of my conversations are with family members, but I've got 3 former Bush voters who will vote for Kerry, and one which will probably stay at home if she decides she can't vote Kerry.

I really appreciate the Snopes advice, for when I get e-mails full of the conservative drivel that makes the rounds. In the past, I have just deleted them without answering...now, thanks to this thread, I have another way to handle them.

[Arianrhod]

113. Not only have I garnered some conversions

but the resident office Freeper is now just laughed at. This in an extremely conservative workplace.

[LunaC]

115. Handy-dandy PNAC synopsis

for those joining the battle for converts:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

]

[Rockholm]

117. Kicking towards 200!

[DrBB]

118. Conversion begins at home

My paleo-con father is now on the "won't vote Bush" list. Doesn't like Kerry (Viet Nam), could have gone for Clark (might vote Kerry/Clark), but definitely WON'T vote for Bush again. Nor will my Mom (easier convert), nor my military youngest brother, or my defense industry older brother--all of whom voted for C+ Augustus last time.

I can't claim full credit--my other brother (the other lefty in the family) harangues my parents about Bush all the time, but sometimes a more subtle approach is best.

-I try not to back them into a corner. That just stiffens irrational resistance to facts. Let the facts speak for themselves--someone who feels he's converted himself is a stronger convert.

-I don't assume that, just because I got initial resistance or rejection on some point, that it won't sink in. Let people fume and stamp their foot; the truth just smiles. And if they need to go away and come back later when they can say it was their own idea that Bush is a disaster, fine. All the better, in fact.

[matcom]

128. small steps but take them anyway

CONGRATS on your father!!

LOVE these stories!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

120. I can't even begin to tell you how much work I've done in that area

and my conservative (sorry) estimate of people I've converted to voting for/supporting Kerry hovers around fifty. And I'm disappointed by that. I've registered hundreds of people to vote in my town (voter registrar).

Fortunately Chucklenuts Junior is doing a lot of my conversion to Kerry work for me. Keep screwin' up, budro!

There's one person I am working on hardest--my own husband. He fell in love with Dean. Too hard. And he's one of those last last holdouts who can't quite get on with Kerry, but he'll get there. He DOES hate shrub with a vengeance, so I have a feeling he'll check that Kerry box come November. No doubt.

I've promised him certain things that are too tempting for him not to.

Is THAT working for my country, or what?

[BattyDem]

121. kick

[Duncan Grant]

122. kick n/t

[nonconformist]

129. Kick for sanity

[RetroLounge]

130. Kickin' for Matcom!

[matcom]

132. don't kick for ME

kick for the MOVEMENT!

and DO IT!!!

[Morning Dew]

131. got one convert

working on another.

[robertpaulsen]

133. I CONVERTED MY DAD TOO!

My father is a staunch Republican who has voted Republican ever since he turned 21 (Goldwater in '64). It has been very difficult discussing politics with him the last few years since Bush stole the White House. But I opposed the Iraq War since the beginning, and every reason that I gave for why this war is a failure has turned out to be correct. Little by little, he began conceding his points to me.

But the last straw was the Abu Ghraib scandal. Now he says the war cannot be won and the US needs to get out NOW. I'm still working on getting him to vote for Kerry, but he said unless Bush pulls the troops out of Iraq before November, he will not vote for him. I count this as a CONFIRMED WIN!

So congratulations to you matcom, I know how great it feels! Keep fighting the good fight!

[matcom]

134. no. congratulations are to be YOURS this night

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

[DUJunkie]

135. Write on!

KICK!!!!!!!!

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

138. I want to have a good answer for my daughter

when she asks what I did. I need more than played tennis, lunched with my girlfriends, and kept people liking me.

I like your strategy of using mainstream press. Seems there is more and more available lately.

Currently, I am creating a vision statement for my 5 year-old daughter and will share this via e-mail. I am encouraging recipients to create their own visions for their children, young friends, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Then asking that they evaluate the policies of the current administration to determine if we are heading in the direction that will fulfill the future vision they have. Included will be the PNAC link with a statement that people can only truly know where the Bush Administration is taking America by researching PNAC.

I will really stretch myself a bit as I intend to send the e-mail to EVERYONE on my list, including people I don't know (it seems whenever I hit reply all the addresses all end up on my list and I haven't bothered to delete them).

Will add the DU bumper sticker to my car when it arrives.

[AZCat]

139. I work as part of a team - it seems to help

Counting two new voters (both in the Kerry camp) and working on converting a bunch of long-time Republicans.

There's so much info out there, it is hard to pick your sources, but I found that with a little attention to specific issues, it is easier to convert certain people. Just do the obvious: find out what their hot-button issues are, and send them articles related to that. Outside of a couple of issues we all know well (pandering to the religious right, pushing for tax breaks for large corporations, etc), Dubya is bound to have screwed up something related to their concerns. Find those articles and keep sending them!

Keep up the good work, people!

[Paulie]

140. I got 4 votes for Kucinich in the primaries

Three at work (one voted for him last week in the IN primaries. Got a Dem ballot specifically to vote for Dennis he told me!), and the Wife voted for Dennis.

It's safe to say that none of these people will be voting for * and his war. I know of atleast two others at work that are scared to death about the draft and their kids. So I pass along everything from SelectiveService I read to them. :eek:

[wicket]

141. kick!

[waywest]

142. Here's my kick

Kick

[vetwife]

143. Well I wonder how many my CD Narration Take it Back has converted

I hope plenty. Only 30 something sales though but it helps DU and Guy James..But I still wonder how many got converted ! I have talked and written till I am blue in the face but I hope I have made some difference.

http://cafeshops.com/focusgroupnow.9200633
TAKE IT BACK

[rodmant]

144. Armed Forces week in Milwaukee

I went down to our annual armed forces miltary display at Mitchell
Field (Milwaukee WI) today; while waiting in line I struck up conversations with several strangers about the latest Hersch article, and the election. It was a good exercise;people were in general engaged and civil; and captive - ie in line for the bus to the military-base section of the airport. One guy listened and did not
comment (except for small talk about AC130s and KC130s);
another guy (a ww2 vet/pilot) was very nice but felt war is hell and the prisoner abuse was overblown. He did not care much for the Geneva
convention - he repeated that he was given special suicide
pills to use if he was captured. One couple with two kids listened and nodded; another couple - the guy was polite but said nothing , the woman admitted she was uninformed and was straining to understand me (from Puerto Rico). The last guy (in his 60s) was from England, we had
alot of back and forth, we shook hands at the end - he was impressed by Blair (one of our most capable leaders/made improvements in health care, education, and gov subsidy of industry)- again he thought the photos were shameful, but not important, that the should not have been "leaked".

My voice was hoarse from all the talking ;->

Try this tactic at your summer festivals, parades,
fireworks, art walks etc.

[Arkana]

145. kick this

From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We will fight our party's battles
In the media and political scene.

[proud patriot]

146. I'm glad this was cross posted from activism

that's how I found it .

[redqueen]

147. Sounds like a plan!

Thanks, Matcom, for spelling this out! And kudos to you for your hard work.

[redqueen]

148. Kick

[WillyT]

149. Kick, Kick Kick, Kick, Kick, Kick, Kick...

Whew...

[tibbiit]

150. great plan thanks

Im game.
thanks
tib

(kick

[redqueen]

151. This is such a great plan

The only thing I might add is the creation of a secondary, more open-minded list. For liberals and Democrats, maybe. To send everything you can about how the media lies, about how peace is imperative, about how single-payer, universal healthcare is the only way to go... etc. etc. etc.

Matcom I so love you for this post.

[robertpaulsen]

152. Late afternoon kick on the West Coast.

[drb]

153. My list has been up and running for months!