Canvassing Makes a Difference

By: snolan
Published On: 9/25/2006 10:07:41 AM

Saturday I went out and canvassed for Judy Feder and Jim Webb.  I worked with Ted, who is just coming back to activism from many years of hiding out because he was concerned that nothing makes a difference in a state as one-sided as Virginia has been.  He's  a likable fellow, but I think the people who continued fighting for what they believed in through the years of relative apathy are to be commended.  They made this wonderful revolution possible, one person at a time.  If we hide out, we silently and tacitly agree with what is going on in our country, state, and county.  We need to stand up and protest, even when that protest appears to fall on deaf ears.

I followed Bruce Roemmelt over to the Prince William County Democrats BBQ, and got to talk to Andy Hurst and Jeanette Rishell.  It was wonderful seeing them both, as they are both doing very well in their campaign races; soundly trouncing their opponents in the 11th CD and the 50th LD respectively.  I am confident of victory in the U.S. Senate race (Webb will win by more than 5%), the 11th congressional race (Hurst will win by a few percent), and the 50th district special election (Rishell should win by over 20%).  I am worried about Sharon Pandak's campaign to be the next Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.  There still is not much news about her campaign; and not enough people know how crazy Cory Stewart is to vote against him.  He's running on socially conservative issues - which is nonsense for the office he is seeking (County Supervisors have nothing to do with those issues), so I suspect he's really just trying to use that position as a launch pad for other political ambitions (much like Sean Connaughton apparently did).  We need some news coverage of this race soon.

I am also worried about the Judy Feder campaign and the campaign against the 1st ballot question (the Marshall/Newman "hate" amendment).  Both are going to be very tight races where every vote counts.  I still have heard nothing but conjecture about the 3rd ballot question, but I have decided to "Vote NO" on both #1 and #2.

Sunday I did a little canvassing for Jeanette Rishell, who is running against Jackson Miller.  I find it a bit disturbing that Mr. Miller has totally changed his website to hide from his history of scary extremists endorsing his campaign and his strong ties to extreme social positions.  Thankfully, google caches can still reveal those affiliations he is trying to hide from.  It's ironic that his issues website is basically a cut & paste copy of Jeanette's own issues list...  If you live in the 50th; take Miller's own advice and vote for Jeanette!  I ended up cutting the canvassing a little short because of rain, but was very encouraged to find Jeanette has a lot of supporters from both sides of the political devide.

Now I must roll up my sleeves and do more canvassing out in my own neck of the woods for the VoteNO effort.

(crossposted per advice from Josh, thanks Josh)

Comments



What is Canvassing? (LAS - 9/25/2006 5:22:45 PM)
It occurs to me that a lot of people don't understand what canvassing is and why it is so very important.

#1. Through canvassing and phonebanking we IDENTIFY our supporters. We sometimes PERSUADE them to come over to our side. We also identify the voters who haven't made up their mind yet. We ask them about issues that are important to them. And then we WRITE IT DOWN. This valuable information is put into a database which is constantly updated.

#2. Let's say we have identified two voters who are "leaning Webb" or "undecided." But both say their #1 issue is Education. We know to hit those people with lit specifically on the subject of education. Then we can come back and (hopefully) they will be in the "strong Webb" column. We'll have two more voters.

#3. Anyone who is a Webb supporter will be contacted, through mailings and calls, to make sure they STAY a Webb supporter. And then, of course, we know we have to get these people to the polls. That's a lot easier when you know their name, address, and phone number. If we know who they are, WE WILL GET THEM TO THE POLLs, come hell or high water. But first we have to know who they are! 

#4. At this stage of canvassing, we don't go to houses that have previously been idenitified as "strong republicans" or even "strong Democrats." We are looking for the independents, the leanRs and the leanDs, and the unknowns. There are lots of unknowns in Virginia, since we don't have party registration. Anyone who moves here is an unknown. People who don't vote in primaries are frequently unknowns. So you can see why this is such a HUGE job and such an important one.

#5. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! ANY information we gather is gold--even if you only identify Allen supporters.

#6. Yes, canvassing door-to-door is time consuming. It's also about 1/3 effective (in terms of how many people you actually speak with) as compared to phone banking 1/4 effectiveness. Please remember that with canvassing you can physically give (or leave) literature. You are also  more likely to get into a good PERSUASIVE conversation with a voter whilst going door-to-door. Many people have questions about our unconventional Democratic candidate. They need your help!

#7. Kaine's astounding victory last year was party due to the work we did the year before with John Kerry. And our work this year will help our candidates next year and in '08. Think of that, folks, and GET YOUR BOOTS ON!