Phone banking for Obama into Des Moines last night

Last night, a bunch of us met at a local cafe in Madison and pretty much commandeered the back room and did phone banking into Des Moines, Iowa for Obama.

The list of people we were calling were Independents and Republicans that might switch party affiliation. It was going to be a sweep through the phone list to see who was "where" politically. It was a tough list, unlike others where the list is usually comprised of people who are declared Democrats or hard-core caucus goers.

Of the 10 sheets of names I went through in a couple hours, there were a couple Republicans were bit a bit feisty that they were being called and demanded to be off the list. When I called one number, a child answered the phone and said that her family were "all Republicans" and hung up on me. Wow. Good training, I thought... :crazy:

A lot of the phone calls were answering machines where there was a script that you can use as guidance. Those people will be called back again.

There were two Republicans that I engaged in 20 minute discussions about issues.

The wife of one man said that she just listens to her husband when she answered by call. When he got on, he was friendly enough when I asked him what issues he cared about. He asked what Obama was going to do with the "tax cuts you liberals say are for the rich". I said he would take those away and provide other incentives instead.

I also told him that in no time in American history had there been tax cuts in a time of war. He said he makes $30,000 a year as an independant contractor and didn't want to have to pay more taxes. I told him that Obama would provide middle class tax cuts, so he could get a break.

He then asked about "socialized medicine". I told him that Obama is for universal healthcare that is affordable and essentially the same package as when Senators and Congress people have. He belabored me with the usual Repug talking points about how the government screws up everything. I asked if that includes Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. He said it would be good for health care to be more affordable. We agreed to disagree on the ways that happens.

Then he asked "so how can you support a guy that is a Muslim when we had those Muslim terrorists attack us?" He appeared shocked when I told him that Obama is not a muslim. I also said that not all Muslims are bad and/or terrorists. He ended the conversation by saying he would go to the Des Moines office and see what's going on.

The second interesting call was with a woman whose husband was not there. She said she was a Republican but was willing to hear what I had to say. I asked her what her issues were that she was interested in. She said she was an RN (nurse) at a local hospital and was interested in his health care policies. We talked about health care reform and she was very versed in what she thought needed to be done and was "disgusted by how much it costs in America".

She then asked about what Obama thought about the war and the War on Terrorism. I told her that Obama had been against the war from the beginning and understood the dynamics of the Sunni, Shiite and Kurd populations and what would happen if someone like Saddam, while evil, was taken out. He was for taking the combat troops out of Iraq and redeploying them by March 2008. He was for timetables for any future funding. She agreed and told me that there were a couple soldiers in her neighborhood that had died over there. She "hated that man in the White House that she voted for twice".

I gave her the address and phone number of the Obama campaign office in Des Moines and told her to go in there and say she is a Republican who would like to find out more about Obama. She said she would do that.

You can always find some rewards in even the most daunting grassroots tasks. You just have to get out there and do it. I am very proud of the people who joined me in that cafe and did what they feel like they need to do.

We meet next Tuesday at the same place for more fun!

Keep fighting the good fight! :applause:

Actually some of the people at last night's event were pretty cool. A couple people were published writers and a couple were recent Madison arrivers from Japan and London. You never know who you'll meet at these things...

At this point, polls don't mean shit to me. I think they're worthless.

BTW, have you done the same thing with Democrats? I'd be interested to hear their reactions and responses regarding Obama.

I've done some canvassing in Dubuque, Iowa a month ago and there were so many people that were undecided, but could support Obama. Of the 60 or so people I at least gave information to, only 1 was softly for Clinton. Most were deciding between Obama, Edwards, Richardson or Biden.

It's going to be a horse race all the way to caucus day.

I'll report on next week's phone banking, which may be a friendlier list...

way to get out and work it! :patriot:

lifetime republican voters, who do not like the GOP crop of candidates. both of them negative about Hillary. both of them are taking a closer look at Obama, and without knowing much, have a generally positive view of him. I encouraged them to go to his website (and also told them to check out Biden as well.) Thought it was interesting to have the same conversation with two completely different people on different occasions (in a very very Red county)

I've run into many Republicans over the months that are possibly thinking of switching parties or going "independent". For whatever reason, they always bring up how they don't like the Clintons. It seems the current GOP candidates are generally seen as horrible by most Republicans. The moderates are certainly looking at people like Obama, Biden and Edwards.

You're to be commended! :toast:

Sometimes it's just too much fun to do...

campaign people we have spoken with in Iowa. That said, at this point we look at caller ID before we answer the phone. An 800 number or a campaign ID doesn't usually get answered. Four or five a day are too much (not all from Obama, obviously), especially two or three months out from the caucuses. I know by December we'll be longing for the seed corn commercials that usually dominate local TV in the Fall and Winter.

(all his friends call his cell phone) :7

I was cooking dinner the other night when a campaign called for me - Mr. Debi told them I was 'tied up' :rofl: I told him next time just to tell them I was busy. :blush:

They asked if she was available, and I said, "No, I'm sorry, she's not here right now."

They replied, "Would there be a better time to reach her?"

"Well I guess so, since she's not here now." I kill myself.

She did get another call from the Obama campaign on a Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago. I knew the number was out of state, but picked it up anyway. The caller asked for my wife, and when I told her that she wasn't home, she went into her Obama pitch to me. I finally pointed out that since she was calling in the middle of the Iowa-Iowa state football game, that this reeeeeeally wasn't a good time to try to get me on board. Or to do anymore long distance politicking.

We say it often enough about people shooting and bombing people who mean us no harm, but this sort of activism is truly defending America's freedom.

A tip of the hat to you and all others involved in such grueling but essential outreach efforts toward those who may now stand on the other side from us, but shouldn't if they really knew what was good for them. Obama has a real asset with you on his side.

You people drive me nuts. No. You piss me off. There I am with my arms all soapy in the kitchen sink. The phone rings, I quickly rinse my hands, run to the phone wiping my hands somewhat dry on my shirt, grab the phone and ... it's someone wanting to tell me about their candidate.

Finally got rid of the telemarketers, and now we have you people (and believe me, I have to keep backspacing to type "people").

Did it ever occur to you that most people consider this horribly rude and an infringement? Last election I specifically voted AGAINST two candidates for elections because I had received multiple calls from their campaigns. And I guarantee you that I will do the same again.

Frankly, I seriously doubt that telecampaigners win more votes than they drive away.

At some point, you put your name on the list of the local Democratic Party. That's how the list is made. If you do get called, the best way to get off the list is to say you aren't interested or that you've made up your mind.

Phone banking is part of the election process. I'm not a big fan of it, but it certainly is something that needs to be done to get people involved. The same goes with canvassing in neighborhoods. People have to knock on doors and see who is interested in going to the caucus (as in Iowa).

As for phone banking driving voters away, I doubt that very much. Of course, it depends how well the list is managed. If people do a good job crossing off names of people who don't want to be contacted, then repeat calls to people who don't want contacts don't happen.

:sarcasm: in place?

political activism is awesome and to find people who volunteer to make calls is awesome. (Sure, one poll call I received where the poor lady couldn't pronounce any of the candidates names grated on my nerves a little but I helped her through it and I'm sure the next call went better).

I welcome calls from volunteers :hi:

There were about 10 people who were there and all were experienced in doing grassroots stuff for campaigns in the past. You start with a couple phone calls and get your rhythm going. Having others around that are enthusiastic for the candidate or cause sure helps too.