I've been making calls all morning for Robin Weirauch and thought I'd take a few minutes out to write a quick how-to diary for dKogs who might want some how-to help. If you are making calls today for Robin Weirauch for Congress and you are new to phone banking, here are a few tips from my many years of doing this kind of calling.
And if you're not making calls, please consider doing so: send an email to phonebank4robin@gmail.com and they'll get you started. We need people making GOTV calls all afternoon to remind people to get to the polls before 7:30pm.
I always modify the script I have been given, and today is no exception. I'll make my comments first and then give the revised script at the bottom with notations.
If you reach a live person:
Smile when you say your name, as if you knew this person and were happy to be on the phone with him or her. Visualize a friendly face on the other end of the phone as well, even if they give indication that they do not support Weirauch.
Second: When making GOTV calls on election day, change the script to present tense: instead of saying "there will be a special election". Amazingly, lots of phoning scripts do not make this change on election day, but it is only only common sense for you to do so.
If you have reached a live person, do not go into the scripted reasons for voting. Say, "May I ask if you have already voted today?" If they say no, remind them that the polls close at 7:30 and ask for the vote. I don't like the "Can we count on your vote" phrasing that sounds like a demand for a direct answer. I usually say: "I certainly hope Robin Whyrock [write out the name of the candidate phonetically for yourself] can count on your vote today." At that point they will usually volunteer a yes or no answer. If they say no, they're voting for Latta, I thank them for their time anyway and say goodbye.
If they have questions about where their polling place is look it up for them, even if they haven't told you who they're voting for yet (remember, we're the good guys). I have an extra tab open with the form from the Ohio Secretary of State's office. I also keep the campaign HQ number in front of me in case they ask another kind of question: "I don't know the answer to that question but I know someone can help you at 419 842 4338 if you'll give them a quick call."
If they ask whether you live in the district say, "No, unfortunately, I don't live in your district but I wish I could vote for Robin Weirauch--that's why I'm making these calls--I can't vote for her but you can."
Most important: if they say yes they've already voted for Weirauch, or that they are planning to vote for Weirauch, respond with enthusiasm: "that's great! that's wonderful! we are changing Ohio and changing the direction of our country today! thank you very much!"
At the end of the call thank them for their time and say goodbye and thank you again (last words out of your mouth to any supporter should be thank you).
If the voter has a woman's name but you reach a man, or vice versa, ask if the named voter is home. If not, talk to the person you reached anyway--you may get a happy two for one surprise like "she's not home, but my wife and I are definitely voting for Weirauch."
If you reach an answering machine:
Read the script as given, changing the future tense to present tense.
Even if you are calling from out of the district, you can still say the name of the state. You are not misrepresenting yourself--we Dems do care about what is happening in Ohio or wherever we are calling. "We need someone who is committed to bringing jobs back to Ohio communities."
When leaving a message on an answering machine, always mention what time the polls close.
So here are my revised scripts. (If you find the VoteBuilder script easier to follow, by all means use it.)
live person:
[big smile, cheerful pleasant voice]Good afternoon, my name is [TrueBlueMajority] and I’m a volunteer for Robin Weirauch for Congress.
I'm calling about the special election today, Tuesday December 11th.
May I ask if you have already voted today?
*if yes, for Weirauch, show enthusiasm and say goodbye and thank them.
*if no but plan to vote for Weirauch, show enthusiasm and say goodbye and thank them.
*if a Latta voter, "thank you for your time" (meaning they didn't hang up on you) and say goodbye.
*if they've already voted but don't volunteer their candidate's name: "I certainly hope you voted for Robin Weirauch."
*if they haven't voted and didn't volunteer candidate preference: I certainly hope Robin Weirauch can count on your vote today.
(Don't press more than once. Some folks believe in the secret ballot.)
the last words out of your mouth to a supporter should be goodbye, and thank you.
Be nice to Latta supporters/Republicans. They may remember it in November '08.
answering machine:
[big smile, cheerful pleasant voice]Good afternoon, my name is [TrueBlueMajority] and I’m a volunteer for Robin Weirauch for Congress.
I'm calling about the special election today, Tuesday December 11th.
We need someone who is committed to bringing jobs back to Ohio communities. Robin will stand up for the middle class and bring our troops home from Iraq.
I certainly hope Robin Weirauch can count on your vote in today's special election. Polls close at 7:30 tonight. If you have any questions about where to vote, please call the campaign office at 419 842 4338.
Thank you for listening to this message, and I hope you are supporting Robin Weirauch in the special election today. Goodbye.
Well, gotta get back to the calls. G-O-T-V! G-O-T-V! G-O-T-V! If Latta's own internal numbers say Weirauch is ahead, we can win this thing. At the very least we are striking fear into the heart of the Republican Party over a seat they thought was rock-solid safe. Either way it is a win for the Blue Team.
If you can make even a few calls, please do so. Robin Weirauch for Congress!