Door-knocking anecdotes?

[MNGremlin]

While we are waiting for the re-count, I was wondering if anyone has some good door-knocking anecdotes to share.

I've been cursed at, invited in for dinner (or a few shots), had bottles thrown at me, carried boxes for new residents moving in on Nov 1, and been followed around from house to house by a supporter who offered refreshments after every door I knocked.

Everyone has encountered partisans on both sides, but sometimes you run into situations that are pretty strange. One guy I encountered (walking his cat, on a leash, on the the third floor of an apartment complex opined "I only vote for incumbents"). Another yelled "No New World Order!" when I offered him lit and then actually teared up when I showed him what he needed for same day voter registration.

Anybody else have anecdotes?

[trotsky]

1. I've door-knocked once, and made calls to Independents once.

The calling was in '96 for Wellstone, and I hated it. Half the people, if you're lucky, just hang up on you. One guy must have had a bad day and just TORE INTO me. "WTF are you calling me for? I don't want to be disturbed! Fuck you for bothering me! I just want to eat supper in peace!"

The door-knocking was an experience too. That was in '04 for Kerry and my state rep. It was GOTV on election day so at least I was supposed to be visiting known Democrats and should have gotten friendly receptions. Not so. One guy, I rang his doorbell, he came up, I introduced myself and said, "Just a reminder that today's election day and..." before I could get the rest out, he barked, "Of COURSE I know it's election day, do you think I'm STUPID?!?" and slammed the door in my face. There was one little old lady who invited me in, asked if I wanted some water or something, but that was the only pleasant encounter the whole day.

Needless to say both experiences were my only. Some people can just brush that stuff off but it really bothers me, I take it too personally. I try to find other ways to volunteer and contribute.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. I was door-knocking in the southwest corner of SW Minneapolis in 2004

in a neighborhood of small starter homes, and most people were either not home or friendly.

Then I came across a house that had an electrically powered fountain in the yard and double doors that were too big for the house. The woman who answered the door had a 1962 hairdo that was sprayed into stiffness and was wearing big hoop earrings, an appliqued sweater, stirrup pants, and make-up that had been applied with a trowel.

Before I could even open my mouth she said, "I'm a Republican."

What could I say but "Thank you for your time"?

[mascarax]

3. I phonebanked for Franken

and had one woman in Rochester (we were calling to invite area women to Tea with Franni, Al's wife), and she went off on a rant about "all the phone calls" and ended with, "And I'm a Republican!"

Honestly, before I even thought about it, I sincerely replied, "Oh, I'm sorry."

She thought I meant I was sorry about all the phone calls...

(I did tell her that I'd put the "don't call ever again" code next to her name.)

[camera obscura]

4. I had all good experiences... strangest one I met was a two-time Perot voter

who refused to vote for either major party this year because they didn't put up Hillary Clinton or Fred Thompson!

He was nice though, he gave me a Sprite and I was damn thirsty from all the walking I'd been doing :D