Phone banking

I think you'll really need to just remember above all else that you might be seen the same as the solicitors that call. Thick skin...:) I've gotten a number of calls from both campaigns since I'm registered as Independent. I screen calls now. When I have taken calls or talked to those who come to my door, what I really do appreciate is someone who accepts my answers and doesn't push. If I say I'm decided and this is my candidate, then leave it at that and wish me a good night. Those who push me get the rudeness and a hang up or door shut. I went in to my local office for my candidate to mail out letters and bring food to the volunteers who work there all day. I can't do calls, so that was a way I could help. I wish you luck!!:)

I phone banked today for Senator McCain. It is a very hard thing to do especially when people can be so nasty and cold. But when you strongly believe in a candidate who will make America better and safer, I am willing to do anything for him. I truly believe John McCain when he says "Country First".

Yes. Thick skin and a sense of humor. Don't be afraid to tell a joke.

Jillian, I truly wish I could volunteer but with my schedule with our children and my work schedule, I just cannot do it. Go get 'em!!!!!!!!

[FONT=Verdana]I applaud anyone who actively campaigns for their candidate. As a Federal employee I'm prohibited from doing this. I live in a very [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Blue [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]State[/FONT][FONT=Verdana], so no one is going to be calling me. Those swing States get all of the attention. :p [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]I have no experience with cold calling. But I used to volunteer for an animal rescue group and I worked their adoption events at local pet stores. I would walk around the store with one of the cats in my arms, or walking one of the dogs. I would approach people innocently shopping for pet food or gear, and ask them about their pets. Get them talking. And then I would talk about fluffy in my arms was abandoned. And if that didn’t spark their interest, I’d work their kids. Yes, I’m shameless. Sometimes people would grab their kids and practically run from me. But I never took it personal. And I used humor, a LOT. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Good luck with your calls! :flower: [/FONT]

Okay, I have to admit, I was really straddling the fence when it came to voting in the upcoming election. Those who know me well will know I would never vote for Barak Obama. I don't think I've ever leaned toward any Democratic candidate, with the exception of Joseph Lieberman. There are very few in Washington I think are few decent ones there.... J. C. Watts, Alan Keyes, and Joseph Lieberman. Othewise, I think the vast majority are nothing more than the typical run-of-the-mill there to suck the lives and money of their constituents. So, I wasn't going to vote. Enter Sarah Palin. She's spunky. She's forthright and in-your-face style is a different crescendo from the Barbara Boxer's, Nancy Pelosi's, and Hillary's. The latter three would not give me the time of day. Palin comes across as someone who would sit down with the typical mom, have a cup of coffee, and actually listen to your views with understanding of where your coming from! Gotta love a pit bull with lip stick! :cheer: I've always been somewhat politically minded since high school. I can argue my way out of a paper bag and I enjoy a good debate, provided my oppenent can think, argue, and walk away without getting offended. So, I finally put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and volunteered three days a week for the local McCain office in town. :phone: I learned very quickly this morning just how unfriendly calling on behalf of your candidate can be. It can also be fun, entertaining, and somewhat weird. Most of the people I called refused to talk to me. The others were willing to answer, but stated flatly they were voting OBAMA. One woman had so much attitude, I think she would have crawled through the phone, ripped my head off, and blown a hocker into my larnyx. I said, politely, "Hi, I'm Eleanor. I'm calling on behalf of Victory New Hampshire." Right. She said very quickly, "I AM VOTING O-B-A-M-A!" Okay. Just say, "No thank you," rather than be a condescending pain in the tushie. :eek: My second call was much more entertaining. I got a sweet little Southern lady, very out-of-place in New Hampsha. She was the sweetest little thing, and so dear, polite, and kind. She was a Depression-era child and bemoaned the state of the country, the world, and the lack of discipline, kindness, and compassion in our country. If I had a few minutes, I'd have gotten the dear's address and shown up Monday afternoon to take her out to lunch. :love: My final call of the day, after 100 or so odd calls, was another old lady. I cannot beat New England Yanks' for their honesty and candidness. Sometimes, too candid. This particular respondent sounded strained when I asked her to answer questions. She said (thinking of Granny's voice from the Beverly Hillbillies), "I'd love to help you, honey. But you see, I'm indisposed at the moment and can't help you." She sounded a bit more strained, "I'm constipated and sitting on the toilet." :banana: So, that was my first day stumping for my candidate!

KIKI! I've been phone banking for Victory New Hampshire, too!

I went to the SD Obama headquarters this afternoon and phone banked for a few hours. It's always interesting. We were calling Montana and Colorado. Apparently, there was a big football game in Montana this afternoon that had most of my callers occupied. Those that allowed me to talk to them usually didn't want to tell me who they either already did or were going to vote for. That's OK..that's their right...they don't have to tell me anything. All I can do is ask and all they have to do is tell me no. I love politics and will continue to volunteer until I can't anymore...and then hopefully my girls will have taken on my interest and do the calling for me!! I think it's great to be involved in our political system however you can, no matter which party you are affiliated with. Just remember...there are places on earth where we wouldn't be having this conversation and where you wouldn't be bothered during your Saturday afternoon football game. Because you aren't allowed to watch Saturday afternoon football or there aren't others that are allowed to call you to ask how you have decided to vote.

Kiki, if I wanted to have a cup of coffee with a "girlfriend", I might consider Sarah Palin. If I need someone to show me how to hunt Moose from an aicrarift, I might hire Sarah Palin. If I want someone who has what it takes to run this country, well, now, that's an entirely different matter.

Your right, that is an entirely different matter. Obama has done little to nothing, and has less experience than Palin. Then, there's the mess with Ayers, Acorn, Wright, and other questionable issues. But, I worry about "spreading the wealth around," inquiries into private citizens' records (Joe the Plumber) for merely asking a question, "Truth Squads" (Missouri), and Civilian Security Forces. Just smacks a little too much of police state to me and socialism to me. Maybe I spent too much time in Guantanamo and overseas not to see bigger implications in the cult of personality associated with the man. I'll take Caribou Barbie over a guy who associates with unrepentant anarchists that dedicates books to Sirhan Sirhan. John McCain has served his country both in war and as a POW, plus many years in the Senate. Palin, as governor, has executive experience Obama doesn't have. Arguably, Obama has less experience than either Palin and McCain combined. Frankly, I voted for Ron Paul in the way beginning because I believe in Constitutional government and mourn the way Bush, the Democrats, and the Republicans have taken this country away from Constitutional government. (But, that goes back to Hoover and the creation of the Federal Reserve, as well as Roosevelt, the New Deal, moving the monetary system from the gold standard, etc.) But, it's merely a few hours away.... so we'll find out what happens. In the meantime, I'm going to go have a cup of coffee. :love: