Neighbor to Neighbor
Posted by on October 10, 2006 at 01:22 PM
At the DNC we believe that personal interactions are more important than yard signs, stickers or slick TV ads.
Personal interactions like this one from Marion in Yorkville, IL:
I took my husband out to dinner tonight to celebrate his birthday (10/9/06). We went to a new restaurant in Yorkville, IL not far from where we live.
Our waitress was a young lady who works at an Oswego school as a counselor and she lives in the new Bristol subdivision. I asked her if she was going to vote in the November election and she wasn't aware of the Congressional race in the Illinois 14th Congressional District. I told her all about John Laesch, the Democratic candidate campaigning against Dennis Hastert. She then said she had seen some signs but didn't know what they were at the time.
Well by the time I got through giving her glowing reports on John, I believe she was 100% more informed than before we came into the restaurant. And, I am hoping she talks to more people now that she knows about John (at the restaurant, at the Oswego school and at her subdivision).
I manage to engage people in conversation whenever and wherever I have an opportunity.
More: John Laesch for Congress
This is the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor contact that is the essence of the 50-State Strategy. Democrats live everywhere and people will vote for Democrats everywhere, but a lot of the time, they have to know who they are voting for to take that step. Sharing your own thoughts on your local and state candidates in everyday situations like this makes a big difference and is more valuable than any kind of paid communication.
Politics is supposed to be one of those topics you don't talk about over dinner, or in polite company, but that's nonsense. Our elected officials effect every aspect of our lives, from the traffic light on the corner to the funding for our schools to our nation's involvement in international affairs. Politics is something we all have in common, so go ahead, share your stories and talk about it!
Comments - 10 »
Comments - 10 «
I work it in all public locations. I wear my Zack Space button everywhere, with the exception of my office, which is non-partisan. I carry his literature and yard signs in my car. I hand out the literature at all drive thrus and bring up his name whenever I can.
Posted by Esmeralda on October 10, 2006 at 01:52 PM
I do the same thing whenever I'm at class, waiting in line at the store, or sitting in a doctors office. Engage people in conversation and let your word-of-mouth endorsements become a everday part of your day.
I found medical facilities to be particularly good places to strike up conversations about politics...people are receptive to anyone who understands the need for reform and the lack of progress udner the Republicans. There are a lot of seniors who feel they have been let down or taken for granted and are only looking for a sympathetic ear so they can move on and vote Democratic again.
Listen to their concerns, ask their opinions, and offer advise if they show an interest. We are our best advertisements. The Republicans have painted us as wild-eyed, radicals to long, when we are just the people who live down the street. Let's not be shy about tooting our own horns.
Posted by SandyH on October 10, 2006 at 02:19 PM
Hello..just had a lunchtime email from johnkerry.com and had to pass this on...his writers have come up with a quick and to the point answer to the repugs "cut and run" accusation...
Americans are sick of the FAILED LINGER AND LOSE policy of the Bush Administration.
Ok everyone drop that one in conversation every time you are able to bash the inept republicans running the white house and congress.
How about it..message discipline from the Kerry camp! :)
Posted by donmarscd5 on October 10, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Hello..just had a lunchtime email from johnkerry.com and had to pass this on...his writers have come up with a quick and to the point answer to the repugs "cut and run" accusation...
Americans are sick of the FAILED LINGER AND LOSE policy of the Bush Administration.
Ok everyone drop that one in conversation every time you are able to bash the inept republicans running the white house and congress.
How about it..message discipline from the Kerry camp! :)
Posted by donmarscd5 on October 10, 2006 at 03:03 PM
Its all fun and games when no one wins. Bashing on either side will prove to destablize this country that I put my life on the line for every day as well as the other 2% of the US population. Bush may/may not be taking the appropriate action abroad and within the confines of our free country, but he is still the elected leader of the country most desire to live. Send a message to our kids by respecting the leaders of our country whether democrat or republican. I had personal judgements of President Clinton and his Administration, but I still respected him as teh leader of our country.
Posted by Capt on October 10, 2006 at 07:24 PM
Its all fun and games when no one wins. Bashing on either side will prove to destablize this country that I put my life on the line for every day as well as the other 2% of the US population. Bush may/may not be taking the appropriate action abroad and within the confines of our free country, but he is still the elected leader of the country most desire to live. Send a message to our kids by respecting the leaders of our country whether democrat or republican. I had personal judgements of President Clinton and his Administration, but I still respected him as the leader of our country.
Posted by Capt on October 10, 2006 at 07:25 PM
Cap,
hate to disagree , but Bush was NOT elected the first time around, at least not by the people of this country. The 2nd time, well through some clever tricks on sticking Gay marriage on 11 Important state ballots, driving fear into the hearts of Americans that Democrats would not protect them, and a little voter fraud thrown in, he managed to get back in! (Remember the London newspaper the day after the election asking how could 60,000,000 people be so stupid?)
So , in my mind, George Bush is NOT my President nor commander in chief nor leader of the free world. He is an imposter, who by trickery got to live in the WH.
One gets the respect one earss! It is for you and the other 130,000 US troops he lied to, that we will do whatever we can to make sure this never happens in our lifetimtes again. No President/CIC will use lies to send our boys into the middle of a civil war we created.
Good luck, and if you see my little young nephew over in Iraq, keep an eye on him, will ya?
Posted by PamB on October 10, 2006 at 07:51 PM
Cap,
hate to disagree , but Bush was NOT elected the first time around, at least not by the people of this country. The 2nd time, well through some clever tricks on sticking Gay marriage on 11 Important state ballots, driving fear into the hearts of Americans that Democrats would not protect them, and a little voter fraud thrown in, he managed to get back in! (Remember the London newspaper the day after the election asking how could 60,000,000 people be so stupid?)
So , in my mind, George Bush is NOT my President nor commander in chief nor leader of the free world. He is an imposter, who by trickery got to live in the WH.
One gets the respect one earns! It is for you and the other 130,000 US troops he lied to, that we will do whatever we can to make sure this never happens in our lifetimtes again. No President/CIC will use lies to send our boys into the middle of a civil war we created. 2800 dead and 20,000 disabled ---Enough is Enough
Good luck, and if you see my little young nephew over in Iraq, keep an eye on him, will ya?
Posted by PamB on October 10, 2006 at 07:52 PM
Posted by PamB on October 10, 2006 at 07:53 PM
I respect the office. I wish the man who occupies it respected the Constitution and Bill of Rights. He has amassed far too much power in the executive and has far too few brains to realize that it could someday be used to topple the republic.
Posted by SandyH on October 10, 2006 at 10:50 PM
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