Step 1: Identify the Challenge
OK. I really didn't want to make calls either this year on behalf of our wonderful President. I thought I could wear a button, send some money, mention it to my Democratic family members who live in my navy blue state and recommend some anti-Romney diaries here on DailyKos.
That's not enough. For any of us. This tweet by the mom-in-chief along with the tightening race got me off my butt and on the phone.
Step 2: Address the Inertia
How bad has it been so far? I'm here to tell you that I'm surprised by how relatively painless it is. THE FIRST CALL IS THE HARDEST.
Before I made my first phone call, I pulled up Bill Clinton's speech from the DNC and have it ready to quote. I then have some statistics ready for the pro-lifers who are on the fence about Obama.
I have a little script in my head on Obama's choice stance that goes something like this: Gosh, abortion is awful. No one wants to see abortions happen; I share your desire to see them eliminated. What's the best way to get there? Turns out offering affordable contraception is a major way to really get that statistic down without endangering the woman's health. Obama also ended one war and wants to end the second, which is another threat to life, and he's made huge leaps in the economy that helps families make the right decision (I don't add the right decision for them but I'm thinking this inside), especially those with young children and the elderly.
Then, I felt good to go.
Step 3. Make the First Call
The Obama folks have the phone bank down to a science. They provide a script that I find myself now loosely following (but respecting in spirit. I just don't want to sound canned.) But, I definitely clung to it like a buoy during the first call.
After a few calls, it becomes a little rewarding. I admit I often feel relieved when I get a disconnected number or an answering machine. But, now I like to envision the phones ringing inside the Iowa homes (or pockets) I'm calling. Today, I heard an elderly person at the end of the line supporting Obama and worried about her Medicare. I pulled out Bill's speech and mentioned how Obama helped make it financially solvent through 2024.
Each time I call I get an opportunity to maybe begin moving the earth beneath this election one voter at a time. No one has yet hung up on me, but that's coming. I've also left a lot of messages on answering machines on behalf of the President, and that feels good and neighborly.
It's definitely way more constructive to re-electing Obama than reloading Nate Silver's blog every 3 minutes, as I have been known to do.
Step 4. Join us.
GOTV is happening now with early voting options around the country, which means you can impact the election right now with your first call.
Also, research shows that if you can get a voter to visualize where and when they'll vote, you increase their chances of turning out. How cool lis that? You can walk voters through that process (and to the polls for Obama!)
Join us on the phone bank: Find it via the BarackObama website.
I promise it will hurt a lot less than a President Romney.
