Does anyone here do volunteer phonebanking for the Obama campaign?

[CatBO]

If so, what are your experiences with it?

Where do the numbers come from? Are these Obama-friendly people, or just the general public? If the former, what is the goal of phonebanking and calling them?

I've read the FAQ and script on the Obama site, but I'm still not sure that I'm up for cold calling.

I tried phone solicitation as a desperate move when I was in high school and lasted all of 3 days.

TIA.

[my3boyz]

1. I did it for the Kerry campaign and it was not bad

I'm not sure where they got the numbers from. There was a local supporter that was a doctor. Anyway, I would go to his office to pick up lists. Then I called from home. I would ask the people the questions and check off their answer. Then I turned the sheets in and picked up more sheets. I had a young child so I could not go to the actual campaign office so that worked out for me. Oh and most people were nice. I did come across quite a few that said they were voting Republican. That was not surprising because I was calling the Virginia Beach area. They weren't rude or anything though.

[Coexist]

2. I've done lots

there are different lists for different reasons. Sometimes women were targeted, sometimes students (I figured this out when parents told me they wouldn't be home until their break) sometimes its Independants, once it was republicans (in Georgia - not much fun!)

There are those who feel its an intrusion - you leave lots of message - but the times you get through to an Obama supporter, and their love and appreciation make it all worth it!

Finding another volunteer for the campaign is like winning the lottery - it makes you hang up and do a happy dance.

The script is SOOOO easy to follow. You can take a break whenever you want if you're doing it from home, which is handy. I do recommend going to target and and buying a $10 headset that plugs into your phone (I have a cordless, it just plugged into the little round hole in the side like on a cell phone, but its designed for regular phones). It saves your shoulder muscles and leaves your hands free to type or drink your coffee or whatever.

Try it - if you don't like it, then stop. The fact that you tried is what is important.

(oh, and if MoveOn is doing calls for Obama - you HAVE to do it - they are all MoveOn members, its like talking to fellow DUers - it rocks!)

[zulchzulu]

3. I've done it...

You can have it set up for targeted groups or whatever. Give it a try!

[polichick]

4. I've done quite a bit of it - like FLDem says, there are different scripts...

Calls aren't my favorite thing to do ~ I like face-to-face campaigning in public places (rather than door-to-door), where I can read facial expressions and body language but don't feel like I'm crashing someone's personal space.

[CatBO]

5. Thank you all

Thanks for your replies. I will try it out tomorrow night while my husband is working late!

[AllentownJake]

6. Its not for everyone and I prefer Canvassing

However Obama has a great online tool. I'm not sure who we will be calling during the GE. Independents :shrug:

[cleveramerican]

7. Union member calling other union members

mostly supportive with a few exceptions

[DevonRex]

8. I did during the primaries. We were given the names and numbers

of all the dems in our precinct to call. They got them from the state democratic party. I had a great time doing it. The responses were positive for the most part.

About the script, it didn't take long at all to learn how to tailor it to the person we called. If the reception was chilly, we gave out some quick information to be helpful and moved on.

You'll be surprised at how many people are receptive and how many even want to volunteer themselves.

[otohara]

9. The Unaffiliated Voters - THE WORST

Seriously!!!

The other night we were given "unaffiliated" voter lists. These folks are whiny, indecisive and lazy. Some complain about the choices... and I say - then why are you registered as "unaffiliated" - when doing so in the state of CO - takes you out of the primary process, you allow others to make the decision for you. Then there's a pause - and a realization that they have only themselves to blame.

They hymn and haw say they don't like either - most are leaning toward Obama. Some hang up on you and yell, don't call again.

It's hard to believe - but many say they won't make up their minds until election day. The honest semi-informed ones, want to see the debates first.