Let's get one thing on the table. Elections are decided by people talking to people. The most trusted source of information are people we talk to, more than once, over a period of time. Each of us has a circle that includes family, friends, people we work with and so forth.
Allow me to tell you about one of my circles on the flip
I go to the local Y. I go there to work out and I live in a fairly rural area in the 2nd CD in Maine, aka, fairly conservative, mostly Independent and Republican. Growing up, every office holder was a Republican even if they weren't.
Time has changed things and we have a wonderful, active county party that has contributed to Dem victories. I go to the Y in town around 5:30AM (if I don't go then it won't happen so hush already). There's pretty much the same group of folks there between 5:30 and 7AM. Even with the iPods and all, we're bound to talk now and then. I started taking a boot camp style class at 6AM twice a week-30 minutes and Denise, the instructor, changes the routine every week. Thank goodness or I couldn't stay with it.
Over time, (I've been doing this 4 days a week for two years) people have gotten to know that I'm a proud Dem, I'm involved and I have opinions. I've also learned to Listen to others and get to know their POV. That's important so when they ask me something I will reply with info and attitude that's inclusive. Let's meet some of the people I talk with regularly. Names are changed to protect the innocent of course.
Joe. Joe is one of the most opinionated (and intelligent) people there. He's the former Republican chair of a town committee, current chair of the school board and left the Republican party years ago as it no longer represented his views. His views range from conservative to progressive. He tends to vote Dem but has a low tolerance for those he views as fools.
Bob. Bob is a jaundiced, cycnical, and his views are mostly fairly far left to the point of conspiracy theories. He has little trust in the election process and the parties but is intelligent.
Ted. Ted is former military, unaffiliated voter, listens to Fox Noise but is not lockstep. He's opposed to the war but also opposed to immigrants. Again, intelligent, great sense of humor and a likable guy. Works in health care. Sees pitfalls in both public and private approaches to healthcare.
Jane. Jane only comes when it fits her work schedule but she attended her first caucus, is now a delegate to the state convention and will be a volunteer. She's a Dem.
Mary. Mary is in health care and sees the need for a fix but we haven't talked on that much. She has volunteered to be more active and is a likely Dem voter.
Jim. Jim just started to work out recently but is friendly and seems open. He runs a lobster boat and is trying to get in shape for the season. Lobstering is very hard work for six months of the year..kind of like plumbing on the fly so dangerous as well. A possible McCain voter but came into a conversation with Joe and myself and raised the issue of Obama's experience. He left considering the point of what experience really is (we raised the triple whammy of James Buchanan, Obama on Iraq and Pakistan, and McCain as continuation of Bush policy).
There are a few more people but you're getting the picture. These are intermittent conversations over a period of time. We don't necessarily talk every day or about politics but over time there's a group of peoiple who will ask me at different times...'What do you think about X' and I'll feel them out while also replying.
There are other people I talk to in other circles and some who will vote Republican simply because they always have but I'm using my fellow gym rats to make a point. It's person to person contact, over time, in appropriate settings that wins elections. It's organizing at its most basic, genuine and it works.
What have I learned? Obama will continue to face questions regarding his experience. He has the answer and just needs to keep repeating it. A few people think people will vote on the basis of race. (That's when I say they wouldn't vote for a woman or a Dem in most cases anyway). McCain is old, he's more of the same and if he doesn't drop the 'My Friends' trademark he will turn off almost everyone. My answer to that remark was to say, 'I know. Old dog, old tricks, too old to change'. Clinton has shown grit and toughness but is not trusted to do the right thing. She's 'out for herself'. Finally, and most importantly, the more people see and hear Obama, the more they like him. He grows on you.
Summary? It's a strategic thing but it has to be natural. I initiated most of these conversations until people initiated them. Now, I can count on 1-3 exchanges a day. I wore t-shirts..like my Wellstone College one that says, grumble, complain, Vote on the back or my Hancock Cty Dems t-shirt or a t-shirt with a donkey and pine trees. I've also worked in bits on our Senate race and local candidates from time to time.
So, what water cooler or other conversations have you been involved in??..let's share a few stories because this, I suggest, is more powerful than the media, phonebanking or even canvassing.