I was just canvassed by a Republican.

[msallied]

In Olympia, WA, I got my door knocked on by a Dino Rossi volunteer who also wanted to talk about John McCain. A nice young man, really. I could have pegged him around 19 or 20. Definitely his first Presidential election. I let him talk for a couple minutes, the same way I do when the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons come knocking. It's impolite to interrupt, after all. I told him, after he started talking, that while I had no love for Christine Gregoire, I couldn't for the life of me fathom why anybody would be buying the snake oil being peddled by a scumbag like Rossi. Anyway, my computer desk is pretty much right inside and to the right of my front door, and I have a pretty giant monitor. After he finished his spiel, I asked him if he wouldn't mind peeking his head inside real quick. I had DU up on the screen.

I said: "Does this pretty much settle for you who I already voted for?"

"Yes, yes it does," he said and had a grin on his face that people get when they realized they're fighting a losing battle. Told me to have a nice day and walked off. It's been raining since this morning. An all around nasty day. I felt kinda sorry for him. There are so few Republican volunteers. He's young, though. Maybe he'll switch teams in time for 2012.

[democrattotheend]

1. Good for you for being nice

After having done so much canvassing myself, I just can't see myself being mean to another canvasser, even a Republican, unless he or she started trashing my candidate.

[msallied]

2. I can't be mean to the people who do that kind of work.

Whether it's canvassers or the callers, whether it's for a political campaign or someone doing it for their church. It's how they reach people. I only will harp on them when they're being dishonest, and I listen carefully for when they do. This guy was just repeating the basic talking points. I've heard them ad nauseum, so I found myself more tired of them than irritated.

[tigereye]

3. I would just politely tell them I decided how to vote 30 years ago

when I first became a Democrat!

What irks me are the scuzzy anti-Obama mailers I've been getting here. I live in PA. :grr:

[Diane R]

4. Don't feel sorry for him. He could enlist if he really wanted to support Dino/McCain.

[Bonn1997]

5. You have more patience than I do

I would have just immediately (but politely) said "thanks but I'm a Democrat voting for Obama." When people call me on the phone trying to sell stuff, I don't even let them finish their talk. I'd rather not waste anyone's time.

[lunatica]

6. The incredible in-your-face rudeness of the last 10+ years

and the fear that I would turn into an ill mannered and awful person like the Republicans have been (Tom DeLay, Cheney, Hannity, Limbaugh, etc.) has made me become a nicer person. I think a lot of people feel the same way. The worst of the Republicans have been so mean spirited and ugly that people like Palin can get up on stage and say horrible lies and innuendos without any fear of being thought crass and rude. It's as if it's accepted that people can scream and lie and slander with impunity since their leaders, those people who should lead by example are the same way.

It's time to try using a little more civility again. The crudeness can be minimized a little so we don't look like a country of trailer trash Sara Palins.

[msallied]

7. I agree with you completely.

I just have a really hard time bitching anyone out to their face. I can't even be snarky. It's easier on the internet, but even then I feel kind of bad when I go overboard with it. lol

[GrizzlyMan]

8. I always hate to see people that age who are Repukes

That's an age when you should be questioning things, exploring other ideas. You may come back to where you started, but you should at least embark on the journey.

[msallied]

9. There is still time... He may even still live with his parents.

I found that it was around age 25 or 26 that I finally started developing my opinions independently from my upbringing, which was in many ways conflicting.

[Joe the Liberal]

10. Yup.....

Its a shame to see a young guy like that who is a Republican, his parents are probably repukes too so he was most likely just brought up that way.

[crazy_vanilla]

11. Dino wouldn't even call himself a Republican

He tried to market himself as the GOP-party candidate :hide: :rofl: