Election 2006 – A Democratic Grassroots GOTV or Get Out The Vote Effort

[stevenleser]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_061101_election_2006__96_a_de.htm

November 1, 2006 at 21:51:43

Election 2006 – A Democratic Grassroots GOTV or Get Out The Vote Effort

by Steven Leser

With the election less than one week away, conventional wisdom has the Democrats ahead in the House and on the brink of capturing the necessary seats in the senate to take a slim 51 to 49 seat majority. That assumes all 'likely' voters vote. What has been emerging is the suggestion that the Republicans have a better Get Out The Vote effort than the Democrats and the GOP and its candidates think that GOTV may just pull them through.

There is a lot to a get out the vote effort, phone banking, expensive lists of the most likely voters in the most important districts, targeted ads, etc. I was wondering, what could every Democrat at the grassroots level do to combat the cash rich Republican Get Out The Vote Machine? Here is what I have come up with, the ultimate KISS or Keep It Simple Stupid method. It is not a complete substitute for a sophisticated campaign, but it is something we all can do.

Below are thirty lines in two categories, one for your True Blue Democratic Acquaintances, and one for your Independent/Democratic Leaner Acquaintances (yes, that includes Republicans who might be able to be convinced to vote Democratic) and there is room for phone numbers on all lines. Before you print this out and fill it out, send this article to all the Democrats you know. Once that is done, move to the next paragraph. An apology in advance to people who may be sent this article more than once. There is a lot at stake here and a few extra emails that you may need to delete are worth it to secure our best possible future.

Fill out each of the 15 lines in both categories with people appropriate for each category. Call each of them as soon as possible. On the initial phone call, for your true blue Democratic Acquaintances, say something like this:

"Hello, this is (Your Name). I know you have probably heard everything you want to hear about the election and candidates, but I want to make sure you are going to vote this upcoming Tuesday November 7th, that you know where your polling place is (If not, direct them to nearest Democratic Party HQ) and all of that. Also, if it is OK, could I call you the morning of Election Day to make sure everything is OK with you getting out to vote?

For your Independent or Democratic Leaner Acquaintances, say something like this:

"Hello, this is (Your Name). I know you have probably heard everything you want to hear about the election and candidates, but I want to make sure you are going to vote this upcoming Tuesday November 7th, that you know where your polling place is (If not, direct them to nearest Democratic Party HQ) and all of that. I also hope you will vote Democratic. A lot has gone wrong the last six years and the Democrats deserve a chance to make a change for the better. Also, if it is OK, could I call you the morning of Election Day to make sure everything is OK with you getting out to vote?


The only follow-up you need to do after this is on Election Day morning. Call each of these people again and make sure they are able to get to the polls and that they are going to do so (If they are having trouble, again direct them to the nearest Democratic Party HQ). Try to get them to name a specific time they will vote and reiterate the importance of them voting.

We may not have the money or resources of the Republican GOTV machine but we have something they do not. We have an energized and motivated group of people who want the Republicans out of office. We have a general population who want pretty much the same thing. Now, we all just have to get out and vote!


My True Blue Democratic Acquaintances (and Phone Numbers)

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My Independent or Democratic Leaner Acquaintances (and Phone Numbers)


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Steven Leser specializes in Politics, Science & Health, and Entertainment topics. He has held positions within the Democratic Party including District Chair and Public Relations Chair within county organizations. Mr. Leser broke the story of the Bush Impeachment Resolution being drafted in the Illinois General Assembly. The story was printed right here on OpEdNews.com