People attending Bush rallies herded off to work phone banks

[quaoar]

http://www.iht.com/articles/540871.html

President George W. Bush's campaign aides say they have hit on a novel way to recruit volunteers for his get-out-the-vote army. Anyone wanting to attend one of Bush's campaign rallies, anywhere in the country, has to first get a ticket. And anyone wanting a ticket, or a coveted spot up front, can improve his chances by putting in a few hours at a phone bank, canvassing Republican homes or putting up lawn signs.

< snip >

When Laura Bush, the first lady, came to Maine a few weeks ago, for example, scores of people were persuaded to stick around a few more hours and make calls from a phone bank in the basement of the building where she spoke.

And when Bush concluded an hourlong "Ask President Bush" event in Hudson, Wisconsin, not long ago, the 1,500 people who attended, as they headed toward the exit, were first directed toward a giant tent set up with tables, chairs and telephones, and were encouraged to make calls for a few hours.

[wildflower]

1. I heard something about this on Randi Rhodes...

She was talking about how everyone is assigned "points" based on what they've done for B/C team, and how she has zero. :) And these points get you certain perks like the up-front spots. She mentioned the get-out-the-vote "army" and also some kind of "bridage" for something (they always have to use this military terminology).

She also mentioned that business of their requiring social security numbers to attend a rally. Scary stuff.

It makes me wonder, though, are they better at getting out the vote? Or just different? (Aggressive and scary vs. passionate and creative, like us.)

-wildflower

[quaoar]

2. Yes, Randi mentioned the woman in Bangor

who had to wait for hours and hours and then had to sit on a flatbed truck way in the back. That story is mentioned in the link -- but I could only post 4 paragraphs.

[wildflower]

3. I saw that (and the rest of the article, thanks for posting!) and wondered

as I was typing if Randi had read the very same article...

Scary stuff.

-wildflower

[MichiganVote]

4. The new and improved Holycaust