Thoughts on fundraising phone call

Last week, I received my first fundraising phone call from a popular Democratic presidential candidate's campaign.  Let's call this candidate X.  

The gentleman was polite, just a bit pushy.  I indicated I was undecided, and until I had made a decision about which candidate I wanted to support,  I  did not wish to make a contribution.  At this point, the caller brought up candidate Y, another popular presidential candidate.  The caller seemed to want to scare me into contributing to X by mentioning Y's fundraising success.  I interrupted and informed him that Y was my last choice of anyone running.  Interpreting that as support for X, the caller then tried his final push for my pledge.  At this point I was very put off by the whole idea, and said my kids were ready to go swimming and I needed to go now (in truth, I probably had at least a few minutes before my kids burned the house down) and said goodbye and good luck.

I thought about what caused me to be especially irritated by the fundraiser's mention of Y and his apparent belief that by rejecting Y I was embracing X.  I realized that (1) invoking candidate Y was, in fact, an attempt at fear-mongering , a Republican tactic, (2) there was no attempt to differentiate X & Y in a substantive way and (3) the caller seemed to dismiss the other candidates running.

When candidates want my support, I would rather there be comparisons and contrasts between their ideas and plans, so I can make an informed decision.  Leave the fear-mongering and hate to the Republicans.  Maybe I'm being cynical, but whoever the eventual candidate is will likely be supported by the Dems who didn't win the primary and all that "kissy face" stuff afterward makes me ill especially if there has been any vitriol during the contest.  Campaigns should also remember that right now the primary is between more than just 2 candidates, and I am undecided between candidate X and candidate Z (and Al Gore, should he decide to run).

•  sounds like a lousy call

  if I were you, I'd call up the campaign HQ and tell them about your experience and thoughts.

  Telemarketing phone calls are the best way to raise money for an individual (in terms of % return on phone calls made, vs. direct mail appeals and email appeals), but they're also the most expensive.  If I was a campaign manager, I'd want to know if our fundraising calls were turning off people, ASAP.

  by zenbowl on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:23:09 AM PDT

  •  I may do that

    since this is still a candidate I am considering.  

    by matx on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:31:36 AM PDT

    •  Definitely do

      and write a follow up diary tomorrow.

      zb

      by zenbowl on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:36:04 AM PDT

•  I will make my contributions to the candidate(s)

  of my choice at my own initiative when I so choose, and not as the result of a cold call sales pitch.

  by KJC MD on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:26:04 AM PDT

•  When I'm making calls. . .

  I do make some telephone calls, on occasion, from Hillary's headquarters. Much of the business of campaigning is distasteful work for an introvert, but I do it because I'm anxious to help her candidacy. I think it's a weak intellect that has to rely on criticisms to bolster one's chosen candidate. I don't personally engage in it, and when the infrequent call comes that uses profanity or insults, I make noncommittal noises that illustrate my willingness to listen (for a little while), but I don't personally engage in that kind of thing.

  Edwards was my choice in the last Presidential election, so I'm well-disposed toward his candidacy, and I like Obama and Richardson, too. Hillary is my choice. The other candidates are not unworthy, and there are enough hard facts to use in debate. If you need to put other candidates down, it indicates subconscious insecurity; not justified pride in your own choice.

  Having said this, I'll allow that it may be that other volunteers making phone calls are less informed than I am, so I can only hope that the above call did not come from anyone in the office I volunteer for.

  by Pacifist on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:30:43 AM PDT