During the 2004 presidential election I found Dailykos. It was a godsend to me. I found like minded people who had ideas, and a political discourse I could only imagine being able to participate in. I read, read some more and learned. It was not until the last days before the election that I even dared to post some comments. More after the break.
But I knew I needed to do more. It took me until January of 2006 to really get involved. I have learned a lot in these three years and would like to pass on some of that knowledge for those of you wanting to get more involved.
First and foremost, you need to find a candidate that you can fully support. It really doesn't matter if it is a local sherrif or a senate race--just the right candidate. In my case it was a congressional candidate in our very republican district. I had read a small article about him in our local paper and it sparked my interest. I met him at a small gathering about a month later and I was hooked. This was my candidate. The only problem was how to get involved. I gave my name, e-mail and phone number to his campaign helpers at the time but heard nothing back. I signed on to his web site to volunteer and again heard nothing. Still, oddly enough I wasn't discouraged by the lack of organization. I knew he was a first time candidate and figured his staff was just as new to this process as I was. In fact, this made me want to work for him more than ever--he was not an insider but a fresh face with new ideas. So how did I get involved? I just started showing up at every event. I would seek out those who seemed to be in charge, let them know I was there and willing to help. Finally they believed me!
Actual work didn't really begin until he had a local headquarters. I showed up there every day and asked what I could do. Work ran the gambit of databasing, putting lawn signs together, stuffing envelopes,etc. I was willing to do anything that needed to be done. I walked election districts distributing lit, phone banked, marched in parades, attended debates and just about anything you can imagine. First rule--it is not about YOU-it is about electing the candidate. No job is too small and they are all important. Eventually I was asked to do more and more. By the end of the campaign I was put in charge of running the phone banking operation. Not a job I had aspired to but one that I seemed to be good at.
It is probably good to remember that this was a very grass roots campaign. I would guess that re-election campaigns are much more organized and already have a pool of talent to utilize. That doesn't mean you still can't get involved--just that it might take longer to get into the system that has already been established. Believe me, campaigns are always looking for volunteers who will be dedicated and willing to work. They all have people that will donate an hour of time once in a while but they don't have the time to sort out those who are willing to do more--you have to show them.
As I said before it is important to remember that this is not about you, but about getting the candidate elected. However--there is a lot in it for you too. There is an energy and excitement with a campaign that is overwhelming. Once you have committed there is no turning back. The people you meet and work with will become lifelong friends. Your faith in the system will be restored when you see how many other dedicated people are really out there.
Well, just so you know, we didn't win. We came within 1%. It was disappointing but well worth every minute I spent on that campaign. Since then I have become involved with my local committee, been a campaign manager for a local candidate, and just signed on to work for the same candidate I started with--yes he's running again and this time the outcome will be different!
I'd love to hear other's stories about campaigning as well as suggestions for those who haven't taken that step but want to.