I can think of THREE REASONS why you should take a weekend to knock on doors to make sure Dems win in November. Don't think you can't make a difference pounding the pavement and knocking on doors? The Republicans have proved it will win the race.
Three reasons to canvass, and three alternatives if you can't:
First, WAPO reports that the Republicans credit their victory in RI over Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey with a grass roots campaign. When the race is close, as it was there and as it will be here, getting your voters to show up is the difference between losing and winning.
The turnout campaign that Republican operatives used to help pull Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee to victory in the Rhode Island primary was a potent demonstration of how money and manpower can transform a race even in an unfavorable political environment -- and a preview of the strategy that national party officials say they plan to replicate in the most competitive House and Senate races over the next 55 days.
So get out there, and Knock, Knock!
Second, the Post reported that the other leg of the Republican strategy is to dishearten Dems and suppress turn out by using their millions in the bank to dig up dirt on Democrats.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, which this year dispatched a half-dozen operatives to comb through tax, court and other records looking for damaging information on Democratic candidates, plans to spend more than 90 percent of its $50 million-plus advertising budget on what officials described as negative ads.
Because challengers tend to be little-known compared with incumbents, they are more vulnerable to having their public image framed by the opposition through attacks and unflattering personal revelations.
Combining an investment of $20,000 in a "package" of dirt on a challenger "with the party's significant financial advantage and battled-tested turnout operation" may prevent Democratic gains in November.
It is especially important to introduce voters to our challengers before this "Cash for Trash" plan is put in effect. Knock, Knock!
The third lesson is from Maryland, where the Republican-appointed President of the Elections Commissioner and her $113k+ Election Director "forgot" to include the cards needed to operate Diebold election machines in heavily Democratic areas. "Worse to Come in Fall Elections, Officials Fear." A voter is more likely to wait in line through such a debacle if there is a personal connection to the candidate. You can be that connection. You can answer questions, and you can remind voters that they can get an absentee or provisional ballot. You could even carry some forms with you for them to fill out. Knock, Knock!
I hope you can join a canvass near you, and knock on doors. Every knock, every lit drop, every personal connection brings the race alive for you and brings the victory closer for our candidates.
Don't forget that Andy Hurst is delivering Jim Webb's message in the 11th District, so volunteer here.
Not possible to get away this weekend? Not even for two hours? Perhaps you could help another way. Here's three options:
(1) Vote by absentee ballot. It's easy. The gas is free. And the lines will be shorter for the poor slob who didn't do it. In Virginia, register by Oct 10th if you haven't. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 3 days before the elction, but do it now.
(2) The Hurst blog asks you to register here.
When someone is identified as a member of Team Hurst they are taken off of our canvass and phone bank lists until it is time to vote. This allows us to save our volunteers time, and to save your time as well. Think of it as one less phone call during dinner.Additionally, people that we know are behind Andrew Hurst and Jim Webb 100%, don+óGé¼Gäót get some of the persuasion mailings, allowing us to save money, and letting your piece of mail to go to an undecided voter and a potential winning a new vote.
(3) Volunteer on election day. Don't count on another volunteer to capture your vote - many are retired and unfamiliar with the new-fangled voting machines. If another problem like Maryland comes up, you have cell phones, Blackberries, and contacts here at RK that will rally to demand corrections. Call to volunteer Toll Free at 800 552-9745.
Get moving! Thanks!
Great diary, Andrea!!
I grew up in an rural-ish area. The houses were on 4 acres and it was hilly to boot. I have an idea how it feels. Tell them they'll save hundreds on a Stairmaster by canvassing!
Well, the race is still up in the air as provisional ballots are counted ...[but] just think, if she'd started earlier ... or if you'd helped her...
* You can donate money, obviously.
* You can put a bumper sticker on your car (estimated worth could be the same as a $250+ donation to a campaign).
* You can put a sign in your yard (estimated worth $250+).
* You can vote (duh).
* You can write a letter to the editor to your local paper (it is easy now, what with the email tubes and internets and such).
* You can strike up a conversation about politics with a co-worker, a family member, a friend, or even a perfect stranger.
* You can make sure the aforementioned are registered and vote.
I live in a precinct that was very red in the not too distant past that is growing bluer with each election cycle, I noticed it in '02 (self identified repubs who asked for Kerry yard signs) and especially in the last year with Kaine, Poisson, and Herring (who all carried our district and precinct), but this year that trend appears to be accelerating. The first thing many people say is "I'm not voting for Allen" and then it is easier to discuss Webb and Feder from that point.
The other benefit that I notice more often when I walk the neighborhood is when a person tells me that either they are the only Democrat on their block or that this is an overwhelmingly republican neighborhood. I can usually turn and point to at least a few houses and tell them "That one is a Democrat, and that one, and that one...". It usually surprises them and brings a smile to their faces.
The repubs count on us Democrats assuming that we are overwhelmed by the numbers and essentially giving up without a fight, this is changing and the more we let those who feel they are an island of blue in a sea of red know that they are not alone the sooner we turn this historic blunder around and fix it.
Just my 2¢