The Importance of Canvassing and Phone Banking

[JustAnotherGen]

Folks - having a discussion in another group - and made a point about how I intend to outreach.

The poster was 'shocked' (first misunderstood my very clear post) that I would expect to have my door knocked on.

I don't.

I intend to knock on doors.

But it showed how narrow the view of voter out reach is to the supporters of one our Candidate's opponents are. I'm begining to believe that one -

They think they can reach ALL segments of America via social media.

Two -they think ALL segments of America are news junkies as we at DU are.

There has been a lot of discussion about black voters as of recently.

I want you to put yourself in one of those voters shoes.

Imagine you are a black woman in a poor urban area. Imagine you are in your 40's/50's. Now being in my industry - I KNOW there is a large saturation of prepaid talk and text only devices in these zip codes. They don't do social media. If they do it is at the library on a Saturday. They don't have wide access to wifi. They may not have an up to date way to access the internet in their home. They may be raising their childrens children. They may be working a job and a half or two full jobs. Money is tight and time is short. She thinks her children are good kids - she knows it. But that drug dealer on the corner? She wants him gone. That gang her kids pass on their way to and from school - wants them gone to. She doesn't have equity in her home - she most likely doesn't own it. She may be reliant on public transportation in urban areas to get around. She has a strong network of support most likely in her Church.


You know what? If you knock on her door - she'll answer.
She will be grateful that you cared enough to show up - even if she has already decided on the establishment candidate.

But if she's not sure -you can reach out and share with her O'Malley's vision. You can tell her he's sorry about 'broken glass policing' but then show her what he's learned.

You can speak with her about things like disparity in health care, his state's record on education while he was Governor and just for shits and giggles - because she might even be prolife for herself and her family (check out a post by qlawren in the African American group) - tell her about the lowered infant mortality rate in Maryland. Make sure you share with her he was re-elected as Mayor . . .Know the race and income stats in Maryland. Know those.

These women have their own minds - but they are tired, overworked, underpaid and EXTREMELY nurturing.

Nurture them back - you can make a connection.


Remember - one is relying on name recognition and being in the public eye for many years - one is relying on social media and getting her to a rally to hear his speech.

The first we can attack.
The second won't even leave the bench.

[murielm99]

1. Great post!

I don't want to intrude in your group and upset you. I like O'Malley.

Phone banking and canvassing are things I have been doing for forty years. I learned from my dad and his union friends.

I have seen local candidates elected because they bothered to knock on doors and make phone calls. You will find, too, that some people can phone bank for their chosen candidate when they can't do anything else. They want to help, but are constrained by time, finances, or other things.

This is just about the sanest post I have seen here in the last twenty-four hours. You O'Malley supporters represent your candidate well.

Remember, too, to make a list of people who need to register to vote. If you are not a deputy registrar, find one. In my state, deputy registrars are not allowed to politic and register voters at the same time. It has to be done separately. Tell people that, and tell them that you will be back to register them soon. Then, follow through.

This goes for all the keyboard kommandos here. I don't care who they support. They need to get out of their chairs and do something.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Thanks for this and you are right

For those new to direct community outreach -

Remember, too, to make a list of people who need to register to vote. If you are not a deputy registrar, find one. In my state, deputy registrars are not allowed to politic and register voters at the same time. It has to be done separately. Tell people that, and tell them that you will be back to register them soon. Then, follow through.

[Raine1967]

2. KICKING! Right now, here in Virginia

we are working on getting him on the primary ballot. That is going to require getting signatures. It's been interesting— A lot of people aren't even away that no matter who their candidate of choice may be, they will need to meet the required signatures to get on the Dem ballot.

Once we get that done, you bet your arse I will be canvassing here in the commonwealth!

Also, EXCELLENT POST!!!

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Do you guys have coverage?

When is your primary?

[Raine1967]

5. Super Tuesday — signatures ned to be submitted

in the next few months.