LIVEBLOG! Obama Phone Bankers' Sat. Open Thread #2

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but we should have open threads going on phone banking -- if nothing else than to encourage readers of this blog to get onto the phone.

But this is also a place to collect information and share tactics.  So let me get right to that.

Right now, I'm calling Fort Wayne.  I just spoke to a marvelous woman who's part of a two-votes-for-Obama couple.  Because people have been hammered with calls, I've started asking whether they've been receiving a lot of calls this weekend, preparing to apologize if I'm disturbing her before moving onto the pitch.

She said that yes, she has been receiving a lot of calls this weekend -- but they have all been coming from Hillary Clinton's campaign.

I repeat: all the calls this woman has been receiving this weekend -- and I get the feeling it may be something like 4-6 from the sound of her answer -- have been from Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Get on the phone.  Share your stories here.  Let's not lose this election because we didn't call.

In case this one does take off, I will steal some of the information from mistersite's diary from earlier today.  Specifically, I will steal what he stole from a previous action diary from Elise.

Here are some tips for first-time phonebankers.

Worried about what you'll talk about? Click here and download the Blueprint for Change. All the links and talking points are incredibly helpful, not to mention the fact that it lists Obama's accomplishments on all the issues.

And, of course, Elise's wonderful diary series, "How to (Ba)Rock a Phone Bank."  Part I and Part II.

And, from that diary, I'll also steal newyorknewyork's Mythbusting about phonebanking.  Now I'll go see if anything else there isn't nailed down!

•  By the way, if anyone from the Obama campaign

  happens to see this:  LET US CALL OREGON AFTER 5:30 P.M. PACIFIC TIME!  Oregon was not an option offered on the menu when I signed up today, and they are already voting early, as the whole state votes by mail!

  by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:47:54 PM PDT

  •  Keep calling IN

    it is crucial.

    by BlackBox on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:55:25 PM PDT

    •  If Obama is somehow able to win both

      NC and IN on Tuesday, after winning Guam today, that will basically shut the media up. The superdelegates will fall in line, and life will be sweet.

      I wish Obama had not spent all that money on Pennsylvania and would have concentrated more on IN.

      by nicejoest on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:08:56 PM PDT

      •  Needed to

        close the gap in PA and perhaps shoot for the future.

        by BlackBox on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:16:11 PM PDT

        •  yes, of course you're right...

          It wouldn't have been good to lose by 20.....

          by nicejoest on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:42:11 PM PDT

      •  I'm Phone Banking...

        and I just got this call:

        Just kidding.  Everyone has been really nice!

        by Lava20 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:17:45 PM PDT

        •  Good Lord

          For a moment there, it sounds like a Monty Python routine.

          Well, at least when the upset (!) customer was done, he had the NHS to take care of his heart attack.

          by oxfdblue on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:34:33 PM PDT

      •  This is the second diary today

        that said the Obama campaign was not calling or canvassing enough -- that Hillary's people are all over both states.  

        I'm calling, and I hate calling.  But if we're not willing to work hard enough, we'll get the nominee we deserve.  

        by 57andFemale on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:34:02 PM PDT

      •  Obama is in the + or - margin

        of cheating error for Hillary.  I am not going to get my hopes up.

        by kanuk on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:25:02 PM PDT

    •  IMPORTANT! PHONEBANKERS READ THIS!

      I've been hitting the newspaper blogs in Indiana instead of the phones, and I've seen some disturbing posts on a blog in Terre Haute:

      Obama supporters are too pushy, annoying, and have disregard for privacy in the home. They do not need to be calling me and asking who I am going to vote for. When the Clinton Campaign person called, he merely said they would appreciate my vote and I haven't gotten another call. Every day it's junk mail in my mailbox for Obama, phone calls for Obama, enough is enough. If it keeps up I will just vote for McCain.

      I too have been over-ran by Obama people. Flyers in the mail daily, phone calls and then I had a 12 year old boy and an older gentleman approach me as I was getting out of my car in the driveway. His mega-bucks raised are sure spent in advertising. I'll vote for Hiliary in the spring and McCain in the fall even though I'm a registered Democrat.

      I have received some phone calls, two from Clinton reminding me to vote and the other asking me to vote early. I've also received calls from Obama asking the same thing.

      The only complaint I have is that the Obama callers didn't hesitate to ask me for money, in fact they "suggested" a donation of $300.00. When I told them that I would rather spend my money for more charitable causes, they asked if I could at least send a donation of $50.OO.

      I don't hold it against the Obama campaign because I understand that it's just a part of the process but I must admit that I was a bit shocked that they could be so brazen about asking me to donate.

      I agree - the Obama calls I've had have been pushy. I've only had one for Clinton, and it was just an encouragement to vote. Most of those numbers are coming up 866 area code. None for McCain. but then, he has the primary vote for his party, so why bother?

      tribstar.com blog

      Just be careful out there, OK?

      by NWTerriD on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:31:59 PM PDT

      •  That's why I'm going to do GOTV phoning on Tues.

        The kids will be in school, I'll be working at home, and I can concentrate my lunch break on at least 50 or 75 GOTV calls. I enjoy GOTV activites, b/c they're less about "who are you going to vote for?" or "Can you give us money?" and more about "Get off your damn asses and VOTE!" which is really what it boils down to in the long run, is actually getting people to the polls.

        by boofdah on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:43:27 PM PDT

      •  See discussion on my diary from this week

        here: people sometimes have this sort of reaction, but the pros say that it rarely ends up mattering.  Publishing it in the newspaper, though, smacks of political dirty tricks.

        Yes, phone bankers should be polite -- but I've heard no complaints about that.

        As for the one talking about asking for money, asking for money (versus volunteering) is not part of the script for general voter contact calls.  Either these weren't real Obama people calling or I doubt this happened.  Anyone receive such a call?

        by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:44:59 PM PDT

        •  Highly doubt this happened.

          Or it was a fraudulent call.

          by Mother of Zeus on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:08:19 PM PDT

        •  PLEASE READ THIS.

          As a few of you know, I am a "field" junkie and an active volunteer for Obama.  

          A propos some of the comments above, the campaign does have professional fundraising telemarketers in its aresenal (which could explain the 866 number).  I know because I was "phonebanked" a few weeks ago and I live in NYC (so this was looong after Super Tuesday).  

          I am guessing here (but it is an educated guess :) that the campaign may be using paid phonebankers for ID and possibly persuasion and GOTV in areas where it feels that it has not been able to cover the ground it needs to with volunteers.  So please take this as a challenge rather than a problem:  Please pick up the phone and call. Any time that you can (even if folks are not home).  From now until the close of polls on Tuesday.

          I have mentioned some of this before in other phonebanking diaries and will post it again here tonight:

          1. Even if you are nervous and/or unitiated, you do not need to feel intimidated.  Excellent research (non-partisan, too!) shows that unless you say something patently offensive or stuipid, it almost doesn't matter what you say to your fellow voter.  The mere act of personally reaching out voter-to-voter is what makes this method of mobilizing supporters extremely successful.

          2. No matter how much the armchair experts on this blog disagree, research also shows -- over and over -- that annoyed voters who threaten to go to the other side or to not vote, do not follow through on their threats.  Period.

          And finally, here is a little motivation for those of you who think that you cannot make a difference at this late date: Studies show that in close races, up to 30% of voters make there decisions in the last week before Election Day.  In a primary, this number can go jaw-droppingly higher (some say to 50%) because most primary voters are already aligned with a party, so using the party as a deciding factor is not relevant.  Now we have a lot of crossovers in this election, so it the truth is probably somewhere between 30%-50%, but regardless, that is an astronomical number and should underscore the importance of reaching voters right up to the moment that they vote. Or to put it another way, it's just another example of the fierce urgency of now :-)

          by mindoca on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:42:57 PM PDT

      •  Something doesn't sound right

        Most of these don't sound like the real thing. I mean, rather than being just average citizens airing their complaints, some of them sound more like Hillary backers playing games. I'm originally from Terre Haute, and I can tell you it's a pretty conservative town.

        by ratmach on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:38:36 PM PDT

        •  yeah, from my personal experience

          they look like repubs posting as democrats.  trying to get you off your game - ignore and call, call and then call a couple more.

          being from Florida, I usually break the ice with "Hi, my name is Francine and I'm an Obama supporter calling from Florida.  My vote is in limbo - so I'm hoping you can make your voice heard and help make mine seem a bit more real"  - it usually gets a laugh and starts the conversation off on a good foot.

          by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:19:25 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for posting this

    There actually is a diary on the rec list that does exactly what you're doing.

    However, it's been up there all day and it's probably a good idea to get a fresh thread going.

    Action diaries are my favorite diaries of all :)

    by casperr on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:14:17 PM PDT

  •  I've linked your diary...

    ...from mine.  Let's start working in shifts.

    by mistersite on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:20:34 PM PDT

    •  Thanks -- I don't know how I missed that

      I had read the intro without realizing that it was intended as an open thread.

      by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:31:48 PM PDT

      •  It's okay.

        You might want to put a prefix on your diary title now, like [LIVEBLOG].

        Anyone want to volunteer for tomorrow's duty?  It would be really great to have action diaries on the reclist during the day all the way up to Tuesday.

        by mistersite on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:42:56 PM PDT

        •  Done

          I don't usually do the Liveblog thing, though I look up to those who do.  If there are rules I should be following and am not, please let me know.  I'll be here for two hours -- more if they finally LET US CALL OREGON TONIGHT!

          by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:46:29 PM PDT

  •  Remember

    When you call people, just think aloud WWOD? (what would Obama do?) when you come across a difficult person .

    When they are undecided, push harder--ask them is there anything they would like to know about BO.

    If they say no--ask them if you could tell them why you are supporting them.

    I always use the "don't take money from PACs and lobbyists line. people really love when I tell them he is not beholden to the "fat cats--you can never get anything done when you owe favors to the rich Washington lobbyists"--got three undec to go BO on that line alone. They got to be more open about what they cared about.

    Always have a copy of Blue Print around or the web page up so you can easily access talking points.

    And, lastly have fun. enjoy your self. When you smile they can see it over the phone.

    by BlackBox on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:23:16 PM PDT

  •  the lead in OR is pretty solid and IN is close

    so I think people should call Indiana now and call Oregon after Tuesday.

    just my $0.02.

    by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:50:50 PM PDT

    •  It's a matter of time zones

      I'm now done calling Indiana for the day (only because the campaign has failed to divide out the Central Time Zone portions of the state, which I could call for the next hour had I been dealt those numbers.  I could continue calling Oregon for the next three hours.  I would not yet call Oregon while I could call Indiana, just after.

      by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:49:55 PM PDT

      •  Hey, good thinking! eom

        by Phyllis in Oregon on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:24:02 PM PDT

      •  i see--good idea! n/t

        by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:54:31 PM PDT

  •  I don't quite call ...

    It's a bit expensive from Shanghai.

    But I did network for him in the absentee balloting, he won China and I'm confident to get a second chance to campaign for him in the GE.

    Work those phones people, Tuesday needs to be a big win. Let's close the deal.

    by koNko on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:14:22 PM PDT

    •  write LTEs to papers

      in IN and NC, please.  From your perspective of an American abroad.  

      by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:21:06 AM PDT

•  canvassing all day in Indiana

  by foxsucks81 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:55:14 PM PDT

  •  How's it going? I want details!

    How much support are you finding, from whom (demographics), and what's your overall sense on the ground?

    This is the first weekend in 6 weeks that I have not traveled somewhere to canvass, and I am regretting deciding not to go back to Raleigh. I am making some calls to Indiana but they are not going so well.

    by democrattotheend on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:58:04 PM PDT

  •  My hat's off to you

    It's a long field trip from LA.  ;7)

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:58:06 PM PDT

  •  What part and what are the results?

    by ObamaManiac2008 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:16:35 PM PDT

    •  NW Indiana...

      VERY fired up...

      think we're gonna pull it off....but be vigilant.  this is ground game folks.

      by foxsucks81 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:20:46 PM PDT

      •  What would you say was the ratio of Obama

        to Hillary supporters?  Also, do you know what demographic groups you were calling?

        by ObamaManiac2008 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:54:26 PM PDT

  •  thank you, foxsucks81!!! n/t

    by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:51:41 PM PDT

•  82-year-old gets Obama FIRED UP! (funny video!)

  82-year-old gets Obama FIRED UP! (funny video!)

  http://www.youtube.com/...

  by ahaaja on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:55:19 PM PDT

  •  I really like it when she marches down to

    see him up close and personal and he says, "Can I kiss you?" .... I love it and my 77 yr old mother - she's liking it too :)  She has a new hero -the 82 yr old lady

    by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:22:46 AM PDT

•  And a disturbing call just now

  A woman who normally screens calls but didn't this time (I let my name and number appear on screen; it's my work phone so I don't worry so much about it) told me that she was undecided but preoccupied because her son was being shipped out to Afghanistan in nine days.  I decided that showing some empathy was better than pushing her too much to choose Barack over Hillary.  Tough call.  Phone bank and meet the world, folks.

  by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:57:37 PM PDT

  •  Wise (and caring)

    by Dana99 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:29:36 PM PDT

  •  When I was canvassing in SC, I knocked on

    the door of a young woman who appeared to me in tears. I was taken aback and apologetically blurted out that I was just walking through the neighborhood to remind people to vote on SC primary day, and she said, yes, she'd wanted to vote, but she had a death in the family and she'd have to see how things went with that. I said nothing else except that I was sorry, wished her family comfort, and God be with her.

    Always, human decency and tact comes before who wins an election. Remember, WWOD.

    by boofdah on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:49:40 PM PDT

    •  someone I called today

      and they answered the phone - had just returned from her husband's funeral.  But you  know what - she picked up the phone, she let me start and then she told me where she was and how she had found her dead husband.
       I expressed my condolences and well wishes for her and she then said -

      "I might need to be there next week registering voters - part of my husband's depression was the state of the world, it's where he would want me - he loved Barack"

      I cried.

      by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:26:03 AM PDT

•  Made 25 calls to Indianapolis, not good results

  Not a single Obama supporter, 2 Clinton, 1 undecided, a bunch not interested or hung up (probably not voting, or Clinton or McCain). Kind of discouraging.

  by democrattotheend on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:59:35 PM PDT

  •  It's caller ID that's the problem

    Just leave the message and move on.  What you've done still helps target GOTV.

    I'm taking a short break -- calling people right when the Kentucky Derby is run does not seem like the best tactic, in case they're race fans!  Post time in two minutes!

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:06:53 PM PDT

    •  And a disturbing end to the Derby

      especially because it's such an obvious metaphor that I assume people won't be able to avoid it.  Here are the Derby results.

      A horse named Big Brown (!), considered relatively untested (!), won the race going away.  A filly (!) named Eight Belles (whom Hillary had literally "endorsed") finished second; a well-considered horse named Colonel John finished out of the money.

      At that point the metaphor looked like good fun.  Then after the end of the race Eight Belles broke both ankles (probably injured during the aggressive run) and had to be put out of her misery and euthanized.  The metaphor no longer looks like good fun.  I kept thinking back to Ruffian and Barbaro.  Very sad.  Do not touch the metaphor.

      The only thing that would make it more bizarre would be if it were Kentucky rather than Indiana voting next.  Anyway, I hope Big Brown now wins the Triple Crown.

      by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:42:57 PM PDT

      •  So sad

        I don't understand why the horse could not have had surgery to repair her ankles. Why did they have to kill her?

        by democrattotheend on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:57:05 PM PDT

        •  Excruciating pain and scant chance of recovery

          If you want to read about the state of the art medical procedures for horses, read about the medical treatement of Barbaro, whose terrible injury was not as bad as this in that it only affected one leg -- and he ultimately died anyway.  I'd provide a better link, but I'm phone banking.

          The pain a horse in Eight Belles's situation would be in is apparently incredible, and horses can't recover from leg injuries the way humans can.  Believe me, if there had been any way that the owners could have saved and bred her, they would have.  I can't even come up with a metaphor for a comparable injury to a dog or a cat, but if your dog or cat had something comparable, you'd put them to sleep.

          by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:02:30 PM PDT

          •  OT: Should have done the same for Barbaro

            I was pissed about that - although I thought he was a great horse, and followed his progress at the U Penn vet school religiously - I thought the decision NOT to euthanise Barbaro was cruel - especially when the laminitis struck.

            A horse is motion, therefore a horse without sound feet and legs is already dying - with injuries to TWO legs, there was no chance -

            and some time or other, we should have a discussion about how thoroughbreds have been bred, in the last 20 years, for early sped, but NOT for soundness.

            Yes, it was a heartbreaking Derby.

            by mldostert on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:24:29 PM PDT

            •  I'm not sure either way

              My understanding was that there was at least some hope with an injury to one of the hind legs.  Breaking both front ankles, though?  No, that's a dead horse.

              by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:49:36 PM PDT

            •  they were hoping to get stud fees from him

              they kept him alive not out of any compassion for the life of the horse or the quality thereof, but just because of the money involved.  sad.

              by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:53:15 PM PDT

              •  Be that as it may

                If he could have recovered enough to have a decent life (for a horse), I don't see a problem with that.  If he would have been in constant terrible pain, I do.

                One of the most interesting things about that is that I learned that thoroughbreds can't have been produced through artificial insemination, which seemed like a pretty obvious course until I found out about the rule.

                by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:09:39 PM PDT

                •  special obligations of thoroughbred breeding

                  there are a lot of procedures that must be followed to ensure that a thoroughbred's offspring really are his offspring.  it not only has to be a "live cover" but there have to be eyewitnesses to the mating and to the fact that the foal was born alive and was able to "stand and suck", etc.  and now that tracing the bloodline through the mother has become more profitable, they have had to prohibit embryo transfer as well to make sure that the mare is really the mother.  thoroughbred breeding rules are pretty bizarre.  "mama's baby daddy's maybe" does not fly when you are talking about horses worth millions of dollars.  

                  by TrueBlueMajority on Mon May 05, 2008 at 07:27:50 AM PDT

      •  THANK YOU

        There are people laughing about this in a thread on another post. I commented to the effect that we shouldn't be using this filly's death as a political metaphor. I was really upset and then saw your "Do not touch the metaphor," and felt slightly better.

        by ChristieKeith on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:35:13 PM PDT

        •  Well, it's so completely jarringly obvious to use

          and that makes it hard for a lot of people (like me, frankly) to resist, but it's still better form to resist it.  I was actually thinking myself before the race "ha ha, wouldn't it be funny if Big Brown beat Eight Belles and Colonel John finished out of the money," and I smiled when that happened, but the tragedy of it wiped off that smile.  I get why people find it irresistable to apply the "warning lesson" to Hillary, but still: bad form.

          by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:48:04 PM PDT

          •  OK. I thought it too. I'll admit I thought it.

            Especially when they said that no horse had won out of the 20th position in generations.

            I was ready to write a whole diary about the subject until I heard that Eight Belles was euthanized on the track.  If you've ever seen it done (they bring out a big screen and everyone knows what is going on behind it) you know it is a really awful experience for any thoroughbred racing fan, and a keep and sudden emotional and financial loss for the owner(s) of the horse.

            So I think we should let others draw the obvious parallels but we should stay away from anything that involves making fun of the untimely death of the poor filly.  She gave it all she had and it wasn't enough and now a magnificent animal has lost her life.

            by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:58:50 PM PDT

            •  Really hard, isn't it?

              I find myself saying "I hope Hillary drops out of the race ..." -- and I stop.

              by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:07:41 PM PDT

  •  Had the opposite experience in calls to Indy----

    which I related in other diary.  Called upscale areas, found many Obama supporters and a couple Repubs who said they also liked Obama---and only 1 Hillary supporter.
     Called all afternoon----after Indy called Kokomo which was a virtual hotbed of Obama supporters---very enthusiastic as many had been to his appearance there last Friday.  I decided that makes a huge difference.
     Called Mishawauka, outside of South Bend---more of a mixed bag, ran into some one-issue Catholic voters.  But some Obama supporters as well.    
     Called Floyd Knobs---I'm not kidding---had to ask---just over the border from Louisville, lots of southern accents---very polite, some said they were considering Obama but noncommital.
     The whole afternoon was pretty good for Obama, especially support coming from unlikely places.  Ran into very little outright Hillary support---one or two here or there but nothing which would cause a sinking feeling.  I think Obama has a shot there-----the one thing I noticed that Obama's supporters are REALLY for him----they are sold----hook, line and sinker.

    by dotster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:12:11 PM PDT

    •  I have to add----the one greatest thing about

      today's calls----Rev. Wright was not mentioned one time by anyone.  

      by dotster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:18:46 PM PDT

      •  canvassing today

        only one of 23 people we talked to mentioned Rev Wright explicitly.  She was an undecided African American woman, mid thirties, very friendly and animated talker. She said he was driving her crazy, but she also said she was very annoyed by Hillary, specifically mentioning, derisively, her debate challenge to Obama "on a flat bed truck".   She said she was undecided but was going to pray on it and ask God to help her decide how to vote.  We left some literature with her...

        by indybend on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:01:16 PM PDT

      •  Good for you

        Because I drove my brother to early vote today and the poll guy and I had a conversation.
        He told me that he had voted for Obama too but that his Wife was not going to because of Rev. Wright.

        I told him I wish she was here so I could talk to her.. what an unfair reason.

        by Ambboogie on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:31:18 PM PDT

      •  I heard him mentioned on several calls

        mostly, as I recall, in the southern part of the state.  It's survivable.

        by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:48:01 PM PDT

  •  You got a bad batch, friend

    Indy is soooooo Obama.

    by Ambboogie on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:29:52 PM PDT

•  machine phone banking

  remember hilary has many "machine" people helping with the phonebanking for her.  We are at a disadvantage with this so go the extra mile!!

  by jalapeno on Sat May 03, 2008 at 02:59:44 PM PDT

  •  Yep

    She pays people to canvass, too.

    I think part of her strategy has been to keep this race going so long that obama's volunteers have to stop volunteering -- either because they have things to do in their lives or because they burn out.

    Of course, she, like so many, underestimate Obama's foot soldiers.

    by casperr on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:21:09 PM PDT

    •  A friend of mind, Nyasha

      who's in NC now, saw her first HRC canvasser in person while in Philly - they were walking into the same building and the HRC supporters (there were two) laughed at Nyasha's expression - not rude, just surprised as she'd been to multiple states and not seen a one.  After she explained her "virginity" they laughed with her and told her ...

      "No worry, we're paid to do this.  When we finish this street, off comes these tshirts and we're going to vote for Obama!"

      by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:33:12 AM PDT

  •  I will agree with that---almost every person I

    called said they had been called 3 and 4 times by Hillary's people.  A few also said I was not the first to call for Obama.

    by dotster on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:33:17 PM PDT

•  My first day of calling

  Lots of disconnected numbers, one angry hang up at the mention of Obama's name.  One undecided very young woman who said, "I'm not talking about it anymore!"  One disabled woman who quit voting.  She's not registered so she can't vote in the primary.  Because I disabled too, I found myself explaining why isn't important that we pay attention.  Explained the absentee ballot.  Lots of no answers too.  I think that people are getting campaign fatigue syndrome. So I too am asking, "Sorry to intrude on your day, I'm sure you know how important Indiana is in picking the next President.  If you have a moment, I'd love to talk with you." I also decided to find out where in Indiana I was calling.  Thinking that at least having some info would help.  

  by stillonline on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:06:51 PM PDT

  •  wow, sounds painful

    Hope NC is more receptive, I will be calling later.

    by susan in sc on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:10:28 PM PDT

  •  I use "Fone Finder" to find out where I'm calling

    I can't vouch for the site, but it (like many others) allows you to see where an area code and prefix sends you.  This often comes in handy.

    I've started pausing in my intro and asking: "Have you been getting a lot of political calls?"  They all say yes, I am sympathetic, and then I ask if they have a quick moment to talk to me about the race.  That seems to disarm a lot of the bad reaction.

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:10:38 PM PDT

•  Thanks for posting this diary.

  Wouldn't it be cool if we could keep liveblogs going throughout the weekend and into Tuesday?

  Anyone want to volunteer?

  by mistersite on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:25:22 PM PDT

  •  That's a great idea

    I'll be out doing Obama stuff in NY tomorrow. Who can post an open phonebanking/canvassing thread?

    by casperr on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:36:02 PM PDT

    •  Someone on the east coast, I hope!

      I get up way too late for Eastern Time, here on the West Coast, to do it.

      by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:44:06 PM PDT

•  A leaning-Obama but afraid of black influence

  I made calls in Indiana for an hour today (will be doing more tomorrow) and reached a woman who said McCain was too old, Hillary was too tied up with the "whore monger" Bill, and she's leaning Obama. But she worries, she said, that once he's in office blacks will expect more from him than they ever have from any other President.

  Oy!  I had to think on my feet with that comment, perhaps not exceptionally well, but I moved her along to other concerns she might have and then we parted.  Are others getting these kinds of remarks?

  by Dana99 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:28:19 PM PDT

  •  I've gotten some of that before. I've also had

    people tell me he's going to push a black agenda and fill the government with "minorities" just to quote one person.

    It's hard to answer, but I usually try to explain to them why as a white voter I don't feel his race is an issue in my decision, and I tell them I've never seen him push anything that was racially polarizing and that I believe he can truly bring people together regardless of race.  I usually talk a lot about his upbringing too, I think it helps to remind people on the fence about his race that he was raised by white grandparents (sad that this helps, but true sigh)

    by krwlngwthyou on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:34:26 PM PDT

    •  What's wrong with minorities in the WH?

      are we supposed to be plotting to enslave the white race or something?

      We're Americans like anyone else!

      by Ambboogie on Sat May 03, 2008 at 04:33:20 PM PDT

      •  O already promised NOT to enslave the white race

        i saw it on the daily show

        by TrueBlueMajority on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:03:31 PM PDT

        •  and since more people think Obama is

          trustworthy then Hillary... it is so.

          **slams gavel**

          by Ambboogie on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:14:35 PM PDT

      •  I think in their heart of hearts a lot of white

        people who say Ferraro-like things know damned well how much they have benefited from skin privilege and they are also afraid of (just) retribution.  They are, in essence, projecting.

        by Mother of Zeus on Sat May 03, 2008 at 07:46:18 PM PDT

        •  What was it Lincoln said?

          "I tremble for my country when I remember that God is just!"

          by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 08:18:48 PM PDT

  •  I just point to the breadth of his support

    among national Democrats, who should be attuned to that sort of concern, as well as to the people who know him best in Indiana, including the police.

    Some things you can't fix.  But you can usually change the subject.

    by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 03:35:30 PM PDT

  •  I haven't had to think fast on that one yet

    though I did get one "why doesn't he put his hand on his heart when they say the pledge of allegiance" idocy (relayed of course that not only does he, but he does when he leads the pledge in the Senate).

    Having time to think on it now, however, perhaps a good way to go would be to ask what specifically would she be concerned might happen?

    I'm going to guess that some version of the welfare queen would be lurking in the shadows, making information like, "did you know that the great majority of people on welfare at some point during there lives are white?"; "did you know that most people who have no health insurance have a job, often times more than one?"

    I'd hope that the end game would be that blacks and whites have pretty much the same problems, concerns and needs, so if Obama were to be more responsive to the concerns of blacks, guess what! he'd be more responsive to the concerns of whites too.

    by jsmagid on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:07:39 PM PDT

    •  that was ONE photo and they were singing the

      anthem.
      it's a false photo lie.

      by stagemom on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:33:13 PM PDT

      •  Yeah

        I got around to saying I thought it was the national anthem - the guy asked why he didn't have his hand on his heart then? I suggested that people do it different ways, some (take off their hat and) stand at attention - that's what I do - some put their hand on their heart....

        Then he unloads with "they said he doesn't put his hand on his heart cause he doesn't support the troops" - to which I replied that I know that isn't true - what network did you hear that on? (as if I didn't know...).

        He said it was months ago and he didn't know - "well, it isn't true", and that was the end of the call.

        Fox-watching redneck is the rather unkind thought rummaging through my mind.

        by jsmagid on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:59:07 PM PDT

        •  search google

          There is a video on youtube which shows Obama leading the pledge of allegiance with his hand on his heart.

          Tell him that if he wants, you can email him the link to the video, so he can see for himself.

          by biscobosco on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:48:17 PM PDT

    •  Aside from what stagemom said above

      That's the point where I usually say something like:

      The sort of people who run smear campaigns have already taken their best shot at Barack Obama.  It takes time to tell people the truth, but we're doing it -- you can tell because his approval ratings are still good.  To fight this sort of thing, you need a lot of money and a lot of energetic supporters, and Barack has shown he can get both.

      I know people sneer at talking about electability, but this is where I usually do a ... <cough> ... comparative analysis of the Democratic candidates.  ;7)

      by Seneca Doane on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:37:31 PM PDT

    •  Good thinking. I also thouht of Bill Clinton

      I told her Bill was, interestingly enough, considered The First Black President by someone famous, and yet nothing outlandish ever came of that.  I'm not sure it was the right thing to say, but it was, oddly enouigh, the first thing that popped into my head!  Then we moved on to another subject, thank God (hah!)...

      by Dana99 on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:43:48 PM PDT

  •  what about his white half?

    no, seriously.  why do folks focus on the half that's AA and not on the white half?
    (i know why.  but still.)

    by stagemom on Sat May 03, 2008 at 05:31:51 PM PDT

    •  here in Tampa

      a great guy jjackso1, bought a bunch of life-size cardboard cutouts of Obama - you must remember, we didn't have the candidate so we had to improvise.

      Anyway, on these cutouts - the hands are white!  and huge, with no wedding ring and holding glasses - all of which is quite opposite of Obama.  

      However, we are taking advantage of the manufacturing error ... - we always are able to point this out when "hanging out with Obama" as "well, he is half-white" and this usually always gets a lot of laughs, nods of the heads and of course, the real discussion begins.

      by bobnbob on Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:40:32 AM PDT

  •  Maybe the Nonviolent Communication technique?

    Validate her universal human needs first, then challenge her perceptions. Sounds like she was worried that her non-black voice would be drowned out and her needs wouldn't get the attention of a President Obama. Once she hears an affirmation that she deserves to have her needs taken seriously, then her mind will likely be more open to hearing that Obama would do that.

    Maybe? I don't know?

    by SciVo on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:39:04 PM PDT

    •  NVC'er?

      Me too!

      yah. I have thought for awhile that would be a useful way to go (validate people's needs )

      concern that she will not be represented...

      very very good.

      I'm skeered to make calls, but I think I will do so tomorrow.

      How early is too early????
      not before 10 mabye?

      by biscobosco on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:50:54 PM PDT

  •  Harvard Days

    I find with that type of caller it is best to explain that when Obama was editor of the Harvard Law Review, he actually promoted whites and conservatives over sometimes very vocal liberals and blacks who were mad at him for doing so. And that like FDR, Obama is looking for the best person to fill a position and he is colorblind in that respect. It helped.

    by typodi on Sat May 03, 2008 at 06:41:47 PM PDT

•  Am calling Indiana