2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumCheck-In: How are you working towards victory?
There many ways to help, formal and informal; many ways to give, both dollars and sweat.
For me, I'm donating to the campaign -- in the form of a lot of small donations versus a big one. That lets you get a bit of catharsis when things look grim -- at least you're doing something.
I'm frankly too introverted to pound the pavement or pick up the phones (and I'm in what's very much not a swing state). But I wonder if I'm doing enough. If Trump wins, I won't forgive myself for what I didn't do.
What are you doing to make sure the good side wins?
Arkansas Granny
(31,518 posts)I've also ordered a variety of buttons and a tote bag to display on a daily basis. I'll put out yard signs, as well.
Living in a deep red state, I doubt that Hillary will win here, but I can keep her name and image front and center.
I'm also doing what I can to get Conner Eldredge elected to the Senate here in Arkansas. It would be great to take John Boozman's seat back.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)goes to Hillary! I am also signed up to work phone banks, staff the local office and recruit volunteers.
It isn't much but it is what I can do. I wish everyone would give just a little time this election is more than critical to our country.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)WillyBrandt
(3,892 posts)Whatever you say about Bernie, I think he did manage to change the terms of the debate, on what we're even talking about.
Johnny2X2X
(19,066 posts)Donating what I can. Convincing family and friends to vote. Spreading the truth in the Internet. And volunteering at my local Dem headquarters.
auntpurl
(4,311 posts)I can't canvass from here obviously, and canvassing/voter registration is my favorite thing to do. But I phone bank and it's been a really great experience so far.
WillyBrandt
(3,892 posts)I work with some old-school moderate Republicans -- a rare breed. Excellent people, and a reminder that lots of upstanding folks just have conservative opinions.
They can't stand Hillary, and are aghast by Trump.
I'm always very enthusiastic about Hillary, and empathetic -- e.g. "Why can't they nominate a normal smart guy like Romney? Well, in 2020 we'll be back in balance. Maybe Hillary isn't for you, but you know she won't do anything crazy and you can try again in four years. Wait this one out."
There's no converting them over, but do my part to remind them that sitting this one out is an honorable option.
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)to do with Trump.
WillyBrandt
(3,892 posts)And ask them what they think the odds are with Trump
Can you imagine if someone explains to him what tactical nuclear weapons are, or how a neutron bomb would work
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)1964 'daisy' ad. Trump is much scarier than Goldwater was.
Interesting little historical side note: the LBJ campaign pulled this ad after only one airing, because it was seen as "below the belt" for its time, IIRC. Both LBJ and Goldwater would despise Trump, probably in equal measure I'm guessing.
DemonGoddess
(4,640 posts)a small amount monthly, more when I can manage.
lapucelle
(18,275 posts)My husband (retired FDNY) wears his Hillary button everywhere he goes just spoiling for an argument, and we live in a Republican stronghold on LI. He also drives for Uber and engages pretty much everybody who gets in his car about the election. He has a very compelling Hillary perspective because he's one of the 9/11 first responders who has ongoing medical monitoring and care only because of Hillary's efforts.
"I was celebrated as a hero. Then I was forgotten. I'm still alive and relatively healthy, and my family isn't bankrupt by the cost of my medication because Hillary Clinton cared," is a powerful response to, "I just don't like her. What has she ever done?"
WillyBrandt
(3,892 posts)Your husband sound unimpeachable. Good for him.
About phone banking - I was a telemarketer, very briefly, a long long time ago. Cold calling, selling crap. Is phone banking like THAT? There were some folks wired to sell to strangers, and I wasn't one of them. Or is it totally different?
lapucelle
(18,275 posts)gift of gab. It wasn't really cold-calling because the phone numbers came from lists of registered Democrats or people who had signed up for information at party/candidate websites. You do get a script with that day's "tells" (Bill Clinton will be at a rally in your town tomorrow) and "asks" (can we count on your vote? do you know where your polling place is? etc.), so you do have specific goals.
As the phone bank captain, I didn't phone people. I supervised, directed, and facilitated the phone bankers who made the calls; I also compiled some data at the end of the day. It's a great job if you don't want to make the calls, but it is a very real and ongoing commitment. You have to show up early and stay late because if you're not there, the phone bank doesn't happen.
There is also a need for data captains who compile all the phone bank data. It's a bit of a wonky job and requires a lot of attention to detail entering data into data bases, but it's something you can generally do from home.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)In other words, I'm working my ass off for the greater good.