JEEBUS, I hate making those calls. I get hung up on and I don't blame people. I've gotten seven calls this election cycle and they're timed to come when I'm in the middle of something important. I'd never hang up on people, but that's about the limit of my patience. I'm only doing it (making the calls for moveon) because people assure me that studies have shown Makes a Difference. And every now and then it's fun.
Me: (slightly worried because the phone rang a bunch of times, and I know how annoying it is to run for a phone only to find a call like this) Hello is Susan there?
Sue: (out of breath, from running for the phone) This is she.
Me: (rushing the patter) Hello, I'm Kate and I'm a volunteer from moveon.org. Can you tell me what sort of work have you done with moveon in the past?
Sue: (laughing) What? Moveon, you mean that liberal organization? I'm not a member of moveon. I'm a republican.
Me: Oh, golly. Somehow you've ended up on the lists of members.
Sue: I wonder how. Oh! I bet it was my son. He's always doing things like that. (both of us laugh)
Me: That's an interesting way to rebel against a mother.
Sue: He's 22! He's not supposed to be rebellious any more.
Me: Well, I'm very sorry to bother you, Susan.
Sue: I'm Sue. No one calls me Susan. On the other hand he's made some good arguments.
Me: ah--
Sue: He's convinced me that Lieberman isn't the best candidate. Now I'm thinking about Schlesinger. Did you watch any of the debates?
Me: um--
Sue: I cannot see voting for Lamont. Are you calling about Lamont?
Me: No, I'm not calling about a particular candidate. I'm calling moveon members hoping they'll call others and--
Sue: I like Lamont, I don't love him and he doesn't have the experience.
Me: well--
Sue: Of course neither does Schlesinger. But I just can't see voting for Joe again. He is too close to that Bush White House.
Me: um--
Sue: And I did vote for Bush both times, but honestly? The man is ridiculous. I can't bear to hear him attempt to speak. I am ashamed I voted for him. I told my son I was sorry to see what he is doing to this country and perhaps he thought I was ready to join moveon. So maybe it wasn't a joke. I'm still going to kill him. (we both laugh)
Me: ah, like I said I'm sorry to--
Sue: I really can't make phone calls and I can't join the Democratic party. My parents would roll over in their graves. But you have a nice day, won't you?
Me: Thank you. You too.
Sue: And I'm so glad that you young people are taking an interest in politics.
Me: (not mentioning I'm in my 40s) Thank you. I think it's important to--
Sue: So do I. That's why I'm willing to listen to people from the opposition as long as they make a good argument. I appreciate your time. And I'll think long and hard about voting for Lamont. I really haven't made up my mind. Well. God bless you.
Me: You too, Sue. It's been a pleasure.
UPDATED:
here's the important part, added from the comments. You should make the calls... No, of course you don't want to--few sane people do. Ick. But listen: They ("Everyone," says Ira) Say It Works and they've done studies. And what else can we non-professionals do for the next two weeks?
The reports said that we had an unusually large turn out here in CT for the primary. That big turn out? 42%!
Clearly some people need a nudge to get out. We're gently reminding the other 58% that their vote counts. The numbers add up. It's a pyramid scheme! Multi-level marketing! I make a call; the person I call makes an hour of calls. . .and so on.
Check it out.. Really. call for change