Going Door to Door today

[Sugarcoated]

I've done this once already, but it was just asking a few questions for Act to find undecided voters, and in a very Republican upper middle class neighborhood. It was weird. For more experienced canvassers, what questions are most asked of you and is there a site with concise responses that don't sound canned? I know the issues, but I guess I'm MORE up on the badness of this current president. Any tips would be great - Pennsylvania is getting close, I live in the Philly burbs and I want to do what it takes to help the most.

[cthrumatrix]

1. important one: the tax decrease by bush is a sham vs. Kerry's plan

This freaks out the repugs. On 8/26/04 the WSJ ran a comparison of the Kerry tax plan vs shrubs (page D2).

There is a chart. For married couple with two children under age ...earning $190,000 year....THERE IS ZERO DIFFERENCE IS TAXES.


For 95% of America that earns this amount of less.... there is NO Benefit or difference.

It's in the Wall Street Journal so go tell the undecided's ....sing from the mountain top and go burst a repug brain by telling them
the truth.

SO for all the repug lying assholes who talk taxes..shove this in their piehole.

(under both plans each couple would pay $30,500/year)

[Sugarcoated]

2. Doesn't that make them about the same?

[cthrumatrix]

3. yes....but the media and repugs have this Kerry is a "tax guy"

the truth is...it is the same for 95% of americans...a media distortion again.

If taxes are a concern ...tell them the truth.

[cthrumatrix]

4. more simple facts

Simple facts:

* The medicare reform bill is a "fraud" and keeps drug cost high.

* Kerry wants to raise minimum wage....not bush.

* Bush job loss ...largest since Hoover

* Largest US deficit in history (after given a surplus by Clinton)


simple and truthful

[KharmaTrain]

5. We'd Canvass Twice & Thrice...

Working a neighborhood like you are, it shouldn't take you too long, if you listen carefully, to what issues are important to them, what lies they've heard and their other concerns. Generally this first canvass was a "listening tour" as Hillary would call it...not engaging in much but the simplest in talk. If they're open to discuss further, we mark down the address and return a couple weeks later.

If there's a specific item that person has noted, we return with some paperwork or a website handy and this time hope to engage the person to see if that issue is still a hot topic. Most are surprised to get a return visit...especially from the same people...and the second visit can reveal a lot more of where a person is headed and opens up a lot of possibilities. If the person is open to discussion and will take the paperwork or be willing to investigate an issue, this is an invitation for another visit. Again...a follow up here could mean one more vote, more more person who sees their vote really means something and each time your strong conviction will start to rub off. You may even do a fourth visit...just before election day.

I salute you for doing the hard legwork that we really need if we're going to be successful. Don't be frustrated...keep faith that once you get to talk to most people, you find common ground and ways to reason with them...especially in white upper class Repugnican areas...you'll be surprised how many are Repugican only in the economic sense and they're very, very, very uncomfortable with more debt

Also...smile a lot!

Cheers!

[Sugarcoated]

6. Thanks for the tips and encouragement . . .

. . . cthrumatrix and IMRadiocative.

I found from the first time canvassing, you can't really forsee what's gonna come at you.

Our very first house we got a obviously hung-over and disheveled young woman, about 19, a real ball breaker. But very smart. She said/asked things like:

"There're really all the same, what's the difference?" and
"I used to work for politicians and it's all BS, why are you wasting your time? What's the point?"

We probably should have just kept going, but the guy I was with really wanted to try, to get her to think. He was great and very credible, a former Green Party guy, and felt similar to her in so far as the party's being not much different when you come right down to it, but he felt Bush was taking the country in a scary direction and abusing his power and something had to be done. She said, "Who cares, have fun, they're all liars", my answer, "I have kids, so I care, I can't just roll over and give up. Change has to start somewhere". This sort of stumped her and she shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess I'm selfish".

Last words to her: "I was like that once, too. Oh, well. Take care and be careful"

Who knows. Maybe that 15 minutes wasn't wasted, maybe it got her thinking. In any case, it's tedious work, it's baby steps. That's why we need so many getting out there cause the Bush machine is well oiled and organized.

IMRadioactive - I agree, the Republican's I got to chat were definitely fiscal ones. The extreme and religious Repubs are in the "deerhunter" part of PA. Who wins in this state is decided by the Philly burbs, and thank goodness they're moderate and EDUCATED moderate Republican's.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Your Time Wasn't Wasted

That sounds like the type of person, I'd be back to see again...and soon.

The Pepsi/Coke argument is a cop out. Sounds like your Green Party friend read it right and glad he started to engage her. My question is if you came away with an issue that she (and I assume it's a she) is really interested in. I'll bet if she's 19...it's gotta be the economy, abortion/birth control and education...not your kids, hers. I'd go back and see where the common ground is...I'll bet, if she's as smart as you say, she'll be happy to talk if prompted and will be open if you find common ground...when that happens, so do good things. If it's abortion, that's a slam dunk...if she doesn't vote, she could lose that choice. If it's economy, just ask what her future prospects are. Then just happen to mention Iraq and see what happens.

I know some very great people working the Philly burbs...most from the area, but also a good number who have come in from New York...and I've been encouraged in what I've seen in "Weldonland". Here's wishing you the best in your work. You are doing good. And there's a lot of us here not only proud of you, but depending on you!