gibraltar72
gibraltar72's JournalIt has indeed been a very happy birthday.
My first cognizance of politics was on 11 04 1952. That was my seventh birthday. The reason it is memorable my grandfather had procured candle holders portraying donkeys and elephants also a miniature whitehouse ornament. The elephant candle holders seven of them were around the top of the cake and the whitehouse, the donkeys without candles were stuck in the side of the cake and descending from the whitehouse. He joked that Eisenhower being elected and Democrats ejected was a great thing.
What did I know I was seven, however I remember it vividly. My Grandpa was a generally good guy taught me many things that stuck with me for life. As I grew up I thought I was a Republican. However as I matured and with the prodding of my future Mother In Law and my future wife I did some self examination. My Grandpa was a farmer who if not for Roosevelts WPA in the depression would have lost his farm. He didn't see the irony in that apparently. I began to question this cognitive dissonance that my Gramps had. I have never been able to fully explain it to myself. I just at some point knew it was wrong and made no sense.
After entering the working world and seeing how things actually went I became a life long Democrat. Today is shaping up to be the best birthday present I've ever had. That Michigan my Michigan could atone for the terrible mistake they made and that the Coup De Gras was administered by those women from Michigan is the frosting on my birthday cake.
Something to remember when interpreting voter affiliation.
I think with the new party the Republican Butt party. Registering as a Republican does not mean a vote for Trump. 17 weeks of phonebanking in southern Mi. tells me the Republican Butt party is gonna have an impact.
Just gave my last tranche of donations I think.
Told my wife this morning I was going to go over amount I had pledged to give. I also told her if it wasn't OK I would reach in my personal stash. She said, no I've got no problem but tell me why. I went on to tell her I would feel terrible when Joe was elected to not give him the Senate he needs to fix America.
My final list was Hegar, Greenfield, Ossoff, Bullock, Bollier, Jones and Espy Just because it was right. I also gave to food banks earlier prompted by a two to one match by my former employer. Probably 5 times as much as I've ever given. But as a failed pResident said. What have you got to lose?
Has anyone heard from our donation whisperers?
I know I'm not the only one looking for guidance on where to put money to do the most good. So many really plugged in people. I have a few bucks left.
Any one else watch last nights FBI declassified TV show?
I found it riveting. Actual FBI agents and files tracking a Russian spy cell for about ten years. Video of dead drops and handoffs of money and intel. John Podesta and clips of Obama. I thought timing was perfect. It shows how FBI counterintelligence used to work. Now all Putin needs to do is as the pResident. If you can find it watch it.
One story from a positive night phonebanking in South Central Mi. 15th week
A positive night overall. One of my first calls was to a 97 year old man. I actually thought for a second about not calling, however I reminded myself of the experiences I've had this cycle with people who had their own crisis or just really needed to talk. It didn't start all that well as the gentleman said he couldn't hear me. I introduced myself again only louder, he complained that the little cell phone made it hard to hear. At this point I am shouting into my phone. I ask if he's supporting Joe. He replies I don't talk politics. At that point I say OK what do you want to talk about. He pauses and says I won't talk politics but Joe Biden is a gentlemen. A mic. drop moment from a 97 year old guy.
A short post on 14th week of phone banking South Central Mi. all good.
My first call was to a 74 year old lady in Jackson. I barely get past my introduction, when she says I'm not voting for that asshole. Of course that made my night, but it just got better from there. A very good night overall.
I just made the following donations for Biden Harris through our link.
As I discussed in previous posts I issued a face book challenge to a local group. Three took my $10 dollar challenge, so I gave $30.00. I also discussed in a post the perfect answer I got from an elderly couple while phone banking yesterday who said they wished they could give. That answer to concerns was honesty. $50.00 for that answer. $20.00 for the unidentified guy who wouldn't let Trump ralliers run him out of a public park for protesting locally. Might not be last time I challenge a face book group. Some had already given but now they've given more.
The absolutely best answer for voter concerns in thirteen weeks of phonebanking.
As I have posted here a few times I am a veteran phone banker. Been doing it for over twenty years. I made my living selling the appointment so I've learned when to talk and when to listen. My latest shift was Saturday. I am in red south central Mi.. For a few weeks was only calling Branch, Hillsdale counties. Last couple has been expanded to include Lenawee and Jackson.
The call I reference here was in my county maybe ten miles away. I call a woman in her 70s screen shows also in household her husbands name. I introduce myself and ask if she has a moment to talk. She immediately says they are for Biden but can't give any money. I tell her I've done this for twenty plus years and never once asked anyone for money. I explain money isn't the issue contact and communication are. I tell her I'd like to hear their concerns. This lady knocks it clean out of the park. Honesty, she goes on to tell me everything wrong stems from dishonesty.
She again tells me she wishes she could give money but they can't. I inform her I am going to donate just for her answer which was absolutely perfect.
I also challenged a FB group locally, stating I would match 10$ contributions to Biden Harris a few days ago. I just reminded them of that. Had only one taker so far. I want to keep the momentum up. so will take care of those sometime after 5
M.
Phonebanking is sometimes being a cheerleader to the discouraged. Sometimes a listener beyond politics. Every shift is different. The people energize me. I hope I energize them. Different than any time in my experience, mostly in a positive way.
The bestest weirdest phone banking session in my experience.
Confessions of a veteran phonebanker, my craziest session ever.
I've been phonebanking for 11 weeks now as some of you know. Absolutely had the wildest yet best session in over twenty years last night. Started chaoticly as the person who emailed me links did it late and was unknown to me. As I went through the 100 or so emails for yesterday I couldn't pick it out from all the others asking for money or to do a survey. Anyhow I started 15 minutes late.
Right off the bat I get my undecided voter an 82 year old woman waiting for the debates. She tells me Biden has never accomplished anything. I tell her I'm not there to argue and bow out.
Next call I get a 65 year old guy that let's me introduce myself, says I'm a registered Republican but I'm leaning Biden I'll talk to you. I start talking, the canned stuff that tells the mission and the line goes dead. I say to myself guy didn't really want to talk. I check the box on report that says lean Biden then start to fill in notes section to report. I am about to send it when my phone rings. It is the dude I thought hung up on me. He assures me he was listening but phone went dead, he didn't hang up and called me back as soon as he could. I said well what I was saying is it is time for me to shut up and hear what's important to you. The guy says to sum up I think of the meme that goes elect a clown expect a circus. I reply I've seen that one. He then spends around 14 minutes telling me chapter and verse the stuff Trump has done or said. I interject once or twice but let him talk. At some point he throws in that he's about to retire and Trump is trying to kill Social Security. he also says asking voters to vote twice thing really burned him. That was something three other Republicans mentioned during shift. He then says the hypocrite sent he and wife application for mail in ballot. I then said well have I convinced you even though I haven't said much. He replied I guess I convinced myself huh? I chuckled and said that is first time that has ever happened to me. He replied I think that's the only time someone let me talk.
All in all a very good night those are just two stories. Many were uplifting. Including a woman who returned a call this morning my wife fielded that, the lady said she was all in but wanted to thank me for my effort This is in red Hillsdale and Branch county Mi. Interesting times my friends.
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Member since: Sat Mar 4, 2017, 12:46 PMNumber of posts: 7,629