Canvassing Suggestions/Best Practices/Lessons Learned? Help a guy out!

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

I am looking to do some door to door canvassing and I wanted to ask you all about any:

- Suggestions for success?
- Mistakes to avoid??
- Lessons learned
- Particular paper work or handouts that have worked well?
- Typical arguments and the counter points to make?
- What works best? What doesn't work?
- Are there any You Tube examples of good, bad, ugly interactions?
- What to bring...what to leave at home??
- Other?

I am sure the Dems or the Obama folks will instruct me...but when I did this for Kerry, they did very little to prepare me for some of the interactions I had. I doubt I will turn many McCain supporters, but I want to do my best to convince any undecideds to make a choice for Obama, and the down ticket candidates.

I have found in speaking with my McCain supporting 'friends' that in 5 minutes I can at least have them doubting the lies they have been told about both McCain and Obama.

BTW I think DU could do a great service by having a fixed topic such as this, so that folks heading out in the trenches have the best input, feedback, and ideas from others that have gone through this.

[Viking12]

1. Two suggestions from my experience...

* Be friendly and positive: Give the people a reson to vote FOR your candidate not reasons to vote against the other.

* Don't waste your time engaging McCain supporters -- move on and work on those that are undecided or uncommitted to voting.

[Cosmocat]

3. Good advice ... EVERY door is different ...

but there are a number of common themes.

People are going to mostly be set already, as noted below, gently firm up those who are BO supporters to make sure they get to the polls, and if the more gung ho they are, try to get them to think about who they can help to get out ...

People who are McCain boosters/Rs ... Be polite and move on ...

Undecideds - don't be TOO overbearing, but speak from your heart. People know people, and if they see you genuinely believe in BO and make your case, it might sway them, but ONLY if you deliver it in a way that is not too pushy - fine line there.

SO, be polite at all times, make your case when the opening arises, but do not be overbearing. Speak from your heart.

Let the chips fall where they fall.

[demnan]

2. I find that the soft approach works best

They give you a script with a lot of annoying questions on them. You're only going to ask at most one or two. The first thing you want to find out is if they are supporting Obama. Next if you have a Senate race you want to find out who they support in that.

If they support Obama thank them and remind them that every vote is crucial and it will be a close election (if that is true in your state).

Now that you've targeted your voter make sure that they have everything they need to vote, make sure you tell them where to vote, and if they need absentee applications to vote that you provide them. Some states allow absentee voting in person. Make sure you know the details of these things and if there is literature available, offerit. If they are elderly you might ask them if they need assistance getting to the polls.

If they seem enthusiastic, ask if they'd like to volunteer. The campaign will provide you with volunteer cards. Have them fill them out on the spot.

If they say they are undecided (maybe they are, or maybe they just don't want to tell you who they are voting for - a lot of people don't - just give them the standard literature they give you to hand out and say, "Here is some literature and it lists the website, please feel free to see how Obama feels on the issues that interest you."

If they say they are voting for McCain just thank them for their time. Offer the literature because you don't know how others in the house will be voting anway.

Be confident. Remember, you are providing a service. You are providing information about the candidates so they can make an important decision. If they want to listen, tell them why you personally are for Obama. That is usually better than any literature you get.

[blondeatlast]

4. Follow the lead of your local campaigns; they know the political climate well.

It also helps to know whether you are in a red or blue state.Is your local campaign wanting Obama to win the state or is the emphasis on downticket races?

Follow someone in the campaign; they know what pitfalls to avoid.

If you have a confirmed Mccain supporter, though, just thank them for their time and move on. The swing votes are the ones we need now.

[grantcart]

5. The most important thing is to understand that you are not responsible and cannot

change anybody's mind - just relax and have fun.

1) The most important thing you will be doing is collecting information - who is for Obama who is undedcided and who is for McCain

2) If you meet somebody that is undecided and wants to talk to you about it - let them talk - listen to what they are saying.

They will tell you exactly what issue it is that they want to hear about it. Once they have had their say now you know what issue and how to change their mind - and you will see how easy it is to move somebody - but you didn't do it they did it. Your there to help them change their mind. The fact that they are talking to you means that they want to move in your direction - let them help you.

3) Once you find out what their hot issue is right it down on the canvass forms. For example if you meet a republican who isn't enthusiastic for McCain and is a teacher write down "education" as the main issue and the campaign will either have a teacher call them or mail them a piece on education.

4) Have fun.

[blondeatlast]

6. KNOW THE DANGERS OF McCAIN'S HEALTH PLAN.

It taxes middle income voters TWICE. This will hit home; nearly everyone knows someone with a chronic health condition.

There's lots of explanation of it on DU; search it.

Undecideds? Ask them about one issue that concerns them most. Likely answer will be taxes and/or the economy.

Educate yourself and not just with the Obama/local races campaign site. DU is rige with grassroots widom; use it.

[happyslug]

7. When taking to a pro-McCain supporter, agree with them where Obama and McCain Agree

Now the best choice is go after people who are NOT committed (as stated by people above) but if you do have to work on someone who is pro-McCain, go with the points Obama made in the debate where Obama agreed with McCain. Show that person that his support for McCain is on points where McCain and Obama agree. This gets that person OFF the pro-McCain position to a more neutral position then you can do what people above suggest.

Second Comment, NEVER be confrontational, if the person you are talking to get confrontational, switch the subject to something both of you agree on (Which can be an unrelated subject i.e. how good or bad is the local Football team etc). Once the person calms down then switch back to the Election, but if Confrontation come up again, avoid it again. Remember people in a fight will stand their ground even if you are facing certain defeat, thus you must avoid making your talk with the pro-McCain person a fight, it has to stay calm and "Winnable" by both parties. You do not want to go away from the voter with the idea you won and the voter lost, you want to go away with the concept you BOTH won (I.e. you won by convincing the Voter to vote for Obama, the pro-McCain Voter go home thinking that his vote for Obama is best for the Voter and the Country).

It is difficult to deal with someone committed to a cause or Candidate, most people avoid it for unless you are willing to put the time into it you will fail. You have to show Obama's good points to the Voter and the best place to start is where Obama and McCain agreed (Mostly by Obama's statements where Obama Started he agreed with McCain).

[dawgmom]

8. Approach it as an interview, and don't take it personally

Approach it as a fact-finding mission. Ask them if there are any particular issues they're concerned about in this election, and then respond to what you hear by stating Obama's positions on those issues.

The second piece of advice is that you need to have a thick skin. People are going to be rude to you, and they're going to slam the door in your face. Don't take it personally. Just move on.

[PerfectSage]

9. Canvassing PA - Lessons Learned

Saw this at dkos yesterday and saved the link.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/28/195531/151/570/613708