much of our get out the vote operations depends on people sitting around and making phone calls in which they read a prepared script to whoever happens to answer. I think most people are sick and tired of receiving these sorts of phone calls and are not easily persuaded by the canned arguments that are more effectively used in television advertising.
I believe that the best way to get someone's vote is simply to get them thinking about the issues. Because it is so obvious that Republicans are on the wrong side of virtually every issue people will vote our way if we can just convince them that once you think about the issues you must get out there and vote. I would rather see us asking the kinds of questions that will provoke the potential voters into thinking about the issues on which we clearly have a winning hand. So I suggest using the questions presented below the fold to get people to come out and support us on Tuesday.
I think most people know where each of the parties stand on almost every issue. It isn't necessary to beat people over the head with the superiority of the Democrats. Instead, we just need people to consider the answers to the following questions among others:
Do you know anyone who needs more healthcare than is presently available to them?
Do you think the system of Social Security that has been used since the second world war should continue?
Do you feel that our elected officials should be concerned with the potential effects of climate change?
Should there be any limits at all on what large corporations are allowed to do in pursuit of profits?
Is maximizing profits always in the best interests of the American people?
Is it important to preserve the constitutional liberties set forth in the Bill of Rights?
Should the government worked to improve infrastructure, such as roads, rail systems, air transport, bridges, and other facilities that span more than one state?
Do you know anyone who has benefited from public education?
Do you agree that corporations should have every one of the rights that individual citizens have without restriction?
Should personal wealth be the most significant factor in getting elected to public office?
after you have asked some of these questions, you should then ask the person what they think is important. It really doesn't matter what the answer is. The key thing is to get them thinking about some issue so that they will have an incentive to get out and vote. it isn't about making promises since at this point, most voters are sufficiently skeptical that this will not have any influence. It also isn't about the individual qualifications of the candidates, because they don't matter all that much in terms of the legislation that will be enacted if they are elected.
Politics in America is a team sport. It is unfortunate, but that's the case. No matter how disillusioned people may be with the current administration and the economy, we have to make them realize that our team still represents our shared American values and offers the best chance of getting out of this mess. The Republicans rely on emotion and smears and really don't want anyone thinking about the issues. If we get people thinking about the issues we win.