Curious about DU'ers levels of engagement locally... are you a keyboard commando or an organizer?

[mahina]

Poll question: Curious about DU'ers levels of engagement locally... are you a keyboard commando or an organizer?

Hey DU.

So...what is your engagement history, and what issues or candidates have motivated you in the past?

Mahalo in advance for helping me and others to better understand this community.

[Brickbat]

1. Most of my activist work is done through unions, not through the party.

[mahina]

3. Interesting! Here, I've canvassed with groups of unions, and they are awesome.

We've canvassed whole valleys in an afternoon. People power rules!

[mike_c]

15. yup, me too....

[Mojambo]

2. I'm not a Keyboard Commando. I'm more of a Keyboard Conscientious Objector. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Could being an activist include unions?

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I volunteer for candidates I believe in.

So far there have only been two -- Diane Benson for US House and lt. gov. of Alaska, and Scott McAdams for US Senate.

I'm picky.

[Kali]

6. Have volunteered for numerous issues

(petition gathering, phone, etc)
Polititions tend not to motivate me much beyond talking to people in general, signage, bumperstickers level

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. 50/50. Was very active in 2008, but in state/local races

we have career decades-long pols (Dems), so haven't bothered.

[nc4bo]

8. 08 was the first election I've ever donated time, money, phone and car.

But I really prefer a more passive approach so I write letters and print information then deposit them in a variety of public places.

I can't get motivated to do the info dumping right now but will probably get a fire under my behind once the campaigning heats up.

For now, just letters, emails and a phone call here and there. Pretty t/lame compared to what some others do.

[MagickMuffin]

9. Other: I am a Precinct Chair for the Democratic Party

I accepted the role in 2008. Mostly because my Precinct didn't have a PC during the primaries and I ended up running the Caucus during the Texas Two Step. I had very little knowledge of how to conduct one but I took on the challenge and then made it official. I also didn't want the republicons in my Precinct to be in total control of the election.

I continue to serve my Precinct in this capacity.

Howard Dean and Barack Obama both supported the idea that WE as members of the Democratic Party need to take on active roles to effect change. So, there you have it. I joined to make my voice heard. To be able to write resolutions for our County and State platforms.


Being a keyboard commando doesn't really accomplish much. At least that's the way I perceive it.


ETA: being the Precinct Chair also allows me to be the Alternate Judge during the General Election. Election Judge during primaries.

[no_hypocrisy]

10. I'm helping the campaign of an attorney who was my adversary in court.

Yes, I believe in her that much. She's running for county surrogate and truth told, I think she's destined for bigger things in the future. Right now, I'm writing press releases, helping her prepare for a candidates' debate, and fundraising.

If all of us just "adopt" one candidate, it may make all the difference in the world. Tom Hartmann got me started with politics is a participant "sport".

[monmouth]

11. See, you're going to be the one who helps to give lawyers a good name...

Good on you..

[no_hypocrisy]

21. Not just a lawyer, but . . . . a Jersey lawyer!

:hi:

[monmouth]

28. I worked for many of them..I liked most to tell the truth...n/t

[dkf]

12. If I am very motivated by a candidate I will do what it takes...

If not, I usually get asked to help and I will as time permits.

[Renew Deal]

13. You left out "I'm a committee person and involved year round."

[mahina]

17. Thanks, good catch

I was precinct president myself for many years, don't know why I forgot about that! Mahalo~

[Webster Green]

14. I work all the elections as a precinct inspector in CA.

The inspector runs the polling place during elections. We pick up all the voting machines and ballots from the county, assign the clerks their duties, supervise setting up and running the polling place and counting of the ballots, and then turn everything in at the end of the night. Long day, but I like doing it.

[Davis_X_Machina]

16. More than one of those is true...

...but I can only vote once.

[mahina]

20. Good point,

thanks. Thanks for all your kokua for your community too.

[EFerrari]

18. All your questions are about elections.

There's a lot of organizing that has nothing directly to do with elections.

[mahina]

19. ok

For instance?

[EFerrari]

23. Organizing around issues?

[mahina]

24. Understood, and included initially, thank you

Which issues?

[EFerrari]

25. If you're asking about me, I've worked on affordable housing

in San Francisco, to end the (now) wars, and for impeachment. Right now, I'm beginning to work with the DreamAct group in my community. As far as campaigns, I've been more active in local campaigns since 2004 or so but the issue stuff is more my deal.

[mmonk]

22. Precinct Treasurer, district delegate, state delegate, campaign worker.

[Quantess]

26. Some of those options could overlap...

The "I volunteer occasionally" option has been split into smaller options, which will make the results look smaller.

[Modern_Matthew]

27. Keyboard commando. It's what I do best. I am introverted in person. nt