I can't vote. So I am calling people who can and switching them to Obama.

[literacyadvocate]

I am not a citizen yet. So I have been shamelessly calling all elderly folks in my family and convincing them to vote for Obama. I have converted 4 McCain votes to Obama - lets hope I can do more by end of Monday. Here are some talking points I employ.

To start the conversation and engage them : "I am not recommending you to vote for anyone. I just want to make sure that you are basing your vote on the right information"
To someone with a 13 yr old daughter - "Don't you want to vote for someone who will fight for equal pay for equal work? Don't you think your daughter would like a choice later in life when she is trying to decide between her life and a baby?
To Somone who is a teacher - "Don't you think you should vote for someone who pushes education; someone who wants to see our kids compete globally and win?. Don't tell me you don't like pay raises, because Obama sure is going to hike your pay"
To Someone who said it will be bad for technology - "Look at the new technology that has been employed in Obama's campaign? Isnt that telling of who he employs? Obama has worked on legislation(that too with a republican) that lets you search for every dollar spend by the government? Hows that for the marriage of technology and transparency?"
To someone who said he is not voting for Obama because he is black and that "whites" are more compassionate - "Great, I think you are voting for the right candidate then - as evident by all their rallies and crowds with wingnuts". I then shared couple of videos and talking points from all media and said - I am belittled to know that someone in my family is associated with them. "Remember - if they decide to be divisive, then any one can be put in a minority; its just a matter of how you divide people".

I am developing a thicker skin with each call. Yes we Can!

[Bicoastal]

1. Where do you hail from?

[literacyadvocate]

2. from India - Liberal first generation immigrant - a rareity :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. Indeed a rarity!

Thank you so much for your work in helping our cause.

[indie_voter]

25. My dad came here from India in the late 1950s. He was a liberal democrat

Until the day he died, a month after the 2004 election. I remember my folks voting for McGovern, and my dad getting the "don't blame me,I'm from MA" stickers during Watergate..

Boy he was ANGRY after the 2004 election, we were on the phone most of that night! He lived to see the Red Sox win the World Series, so that was the silver lining. He would have loved this election, I think about him often.

[literacyadvocate]

28. He will be happy wherever he is when Obama wins!

[panader0]

3. 4 converted votes! Good job.

[Fovea]

4. Thank you!

For being a better citizen than many citizens.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. When I hear a republican, or a non voter bitch about Dubya,
I am merciless in my response, because anyone with five functioning brain cells could look
at Bush and tell you he was not qualified to be Pres.

[FloridaGrl]

8. I second this

[Hepburn]

5. Thank you!!!!

And...a big welcome to the DU! :hi:

[literacyadvocate]

14. Thank you...I am lovin' it up here!

[Hepburn]

6. Hey, come on, DUers.....K&R this thread, OK? n/t

[Cha]

7. Thank you so much for your

enthusiasm, literacyadvocate!

[rucky]

9. Thanks!

We can't get enough stories like this.

[Onlooker]

10. That's impressive

Actually, turning 4 McCain supporters to Obama is a net gain of 8 for Obama! Well done.

[literacyadvocate]

12. true.. I have said I will call on Tuesday to make sure the votes were cast.

[TuxedoKat]

13. Namaste!

Thank you for your efforts! And welcome to DU and to the US. :)

[literacyadvocate]

15. Thank you...Voter power should never go unemphasized!

[shaniqua6392]

16. You are really making a difference!!

Thanks so much for everything you are doing.

[endthewar]

17. Now THAT is change that we can believe in!

:patriot:

[AndyTiedye]

18. It's Great That You Can Persuade People Like That

How do you do it?

I can make really solid rational arguments, but since the opposition to Obama is anything but rational, it is all for naught.
I'm batting zero on this persuading thing.

[literacyadvocate]

21. staying calm helps..

I have a stress ball in my other hand just not to let my frustration show through the phone :)

[AndyTiedye]

24. Staying Calm isn't the Problem in My Case

It could just be that the people who manage to be Republican around here
(which is about as blue as it comes) are completely unpersuadable.

[literacyadvocate]

29. Almost all of the people I spoke to just had the wrong information.

They had the republican talking points down, but no facts to back them up. Of course, you tube the blogs and real testimonials are what WE have to prove them wrong!

[knixphan]

19. Kick for awesome post!

More power to you, bhaae (bahen?)
Each one teach one-

:hi:

[Aloha Spirit]

20. It sounds like after you become a citizen you should run for city council! Very persuasive.

[Ozma]

22. You can be a proud citizen now, whenever you are eligible! WELCOME!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

23. Thanks Literacyadvocate from another non-USC

first generation immigrant whose parents are even more to the left of me. My dad is a dual citizen so he gets to vote in SC. My boyfriend has already voted (here in NC) for Obama. His mom will vote for Obama, but not his dad (sigh!). Believe me, I am encouraged by how many people in this area of NC are voting for Obama (SE NC, the beach).

[literacyadvocate]

26. great news..So excited to be part of history in the making.

[immoderate]

27. Nice work! Wecome to DU and the USA!

:yourock:

--IMM

[literacyadvocate]

30. Thanks..and at a time when history is being made...

[Shardik]

31. That's great.

And I feel that all of us here are part of history in the making.

Keep up the good work!

[literacyadvocate]

32. indeed..right on the money

[Lifelong Protester]

33. Hey, my limo driver in New York this September...

from India, now a citizen, he tentatively asked my friend and I a politcal question to determine what we'd talk about on our way from JFK to Manhattan... when he found out we were Dems for Obama, he really let loose..."McCain...he's just a crazy man, a CRAZY man...how can anyone vote for him??" He, of course, is correct.

[TragedyandHope]

34. K&R - America thanks you!

[Bubbha Jo]

35. You may not be an official citizen but you sound like a patriot to me! n/t

Thanks for your work!

There was a story out yesterday. You aren't alone!

Unable to vote, noncitizen immigrants volunteer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081030/ap_on_el_pr/elections_noncitizens_1

[Joe the Liberal]

36. Wow thanks for all that you are doing....

And welcome to DU :hi: and hopefully you can become a citizen soon :patriot:

[political_Dem]

37. Thank you for your work. Your work put all of Palin's blathering about Pro-Americanism to shame.

The beauty of Mr. Obama's campaign is that people are talking to one another about politics again. This vote effects everyone everywhere. And you can look back at this time and be proud of your contribution to making things right again in this country. Good luck and welcome to DU.