I've found a REALLY EASY way to affect election results. It should be almost be illegal! I almost don't want to write about it, for fear that the other side might hear about it and start doing it too.
Since it is so close to the election, I think it's time to start putting my tactic to use. It is free, takes very little time, is VERY EFFECTIVE, and you can do it in your pajamas, or even in the bathroom.
If you want to know what you can do from anywhere in the country to affect hundreds or thousands of voters for free that is both easy and effective then by all means please join me in the extended body.
I am writing, of course, about phone banking. Some of you probably got pangs of anxiety building up in your gut at the mention of what many consider to be the worst of the dirty work. I'm here to convince you otherwise. Please stay with me here. Here me out. It may make all the difference.
Phone banking is basically when you volunteer to contact registered voters (in your party) usually in your area and ask them to vote for your candidate and maybe ask them a few other survey questions. It is far easier than other phone work because you are calling people who usually agree with your position. People do occasionally resent the fact that you're calling, but that is almost always resolved with a simple apology.
I've been doing phone work for almost ten years, so the transition to phone banking was a logical one, one I should have undertaken long ago. I started volunteering for Jim Webb's campaign yesterday, and decided to try to get as many people as possible to sign up to do calling for his senate campaign as possible.
My logic there is simple. We can have a huge impact by calling people! I just think about our enthusiasm every time we set out to help raise money to help heal someone's cat's broken leg, or to get up to a thousand dollars for some candidate. WE ALWAYS GET THE GOAL!
OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO CONTACT TEN THOUSAND VIRGINIANS!
That may be a little high, but cell phone use is free on weekends, and we're all completely committed to changing the country. We give all we have to the campaigns of different candidates, why shouldn't we give our time to the senate campaigns that need our help?
It is simple! All you do is read the screen! Sure, you're a little nervous at first, but role play the first few calls with your roommate, your friend, your spouse, or, in my case, my coffee mug. IT GETS EASIER.
You are calling Democrats.
If you screw up really badly, just tell them you're a volunteer for the Jim Webb for Senate campaign, and you kinda screwed up really badly, but you're really motivated. They'll understand.
I can't explain enough that after you get used to this it is REALLY FUN. and it makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE.
You know how we all love those diaries about people coming around? The diaries about overheard conversations? Phonebanking is our opportunity to create those conversations in Senate or house battleground races for free (based on your cell phone plan) over and over again. This is really really uplifting.
I suggest starting out the the Jim Webb for Senate Campaign, because their system is easy to sign up for, and the race is a dead heat.
Please let me know what you think, and remember, everybody is nervous at first, it does get easier (within 10 minutes) and it we blogswarm it we could call ALL of virginia and make it a 10 point race by November!
Finally, if you all don't respond I'm going to get all Judy Browni on you, if you remember that.