In all my years I've never been polled, had an elective candidate at my door or had a campaign contact me, by phone, at home.
Until this year that is.
First Phyllis Kahn shows up at my apartment door. I don't know how she got into the building. I never let anyone in unless I know they live here, but I'm sure glad she made it in. It's not all that often I have a chance to thank, in person, one of the champions fighting for me in our state house. For such a little person, she sure stands tall on the house floor. I remain proud to vote for her.
My first robo-call was a few days ago, woke me up from a nap it did, so I was a little grumpy. When she announced she was calling for an organization I recognized as one of the right wing crazy groups, I asked her 'Are you calling from a car? Sounds like you're in a car?'
'No sir, I'm calling from my office' she replied.
'I don't know' I continued 'it sounds like you're calling from a car, while you're driving! That's very dangerous you know'.
' No, no sir. I'm in my office I assure you'. I sensed an exasperation in her voice.
'If you want to talk with me you should really pull over Miss. You're endangering other peoples lives like that. Driving while you're talking on the phone, shame on you. Don't you realize how dangerous that is?' My own voice sounding a little excited now!
She hung up.
This morning, Sunday morning mind you, at 10 in the morning mind you!
The phone rings. Fortunately I was only getting ready to start thinking about taking a nap, so I wasn't THAT annoyed. It was an older lady calling (I say this knowing I myself am near to being older than dirt) asking for Aylisha. Alot of people want to talk to Aylisha it seems but I don't know her and she don't live here. As the nice lady is beginning to apologize for bothering me I inquire 'May I ask the purpose of your call?'
'I'm calling for President Obama' she tells me.
'Oh, well .. Aylisha doesn't live here but you can put down that Dennis will be voting a straight Democratic ticket, down to the water and soil people. And NO on both amendments' I inform her.
'Oh that's wonderful' she replied, and you could just hear the delight in her voice.
That left me smiling for awhile.
Until the phone rang again. Sounded like a twenty-something kinda guy. Wanted to talk to Aylisha of course (Aylisha is ALOT more popular than I am, I'm sad to admit).
I didn't bother to explain about Aylisha, being closer to nap time and all, and jumped straight to 'Why are you calling?'
'I'm calling for Obama for America. Have..' He began as I interrupted with
'Aylisha doesn't live here and you guys called me earlier but just put down Dennis is voting straight Democratic and no on both amendments please'.
He thanked me and hung up. Seemed like a bright young lad to me.
Which brings me to my last (hopefully) 'Aylisha' call of the day. My favorite call.
Right as the game is starting of course, the phone rings.
'May I speak with Aylisha?' a thirty or fourty-something male voice asks. (Aylisha is popular with every demographic as far as I can tell).
'May I ask the purpose of the call?' I respond, my spidey senses tingling.
'I'm calling for Romney for..' he tries to get out.
"You're calling for Romney!' my voice loud, rising in an incredulous near hysteria.
'Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha'
deep breath
'bwahahahahahahahahaha' as I move the phone away from my face to it's cradle. (For the acoustic effect of course)
I don't get out much so, I take my fun where I can find it.
GOTV as if lives depend on it!
Because they do.