This election will be won in your own backyard.

[Raven]

Tip O'neil said "all politics are local". Truer words have never been spoken! If everybody concentrated on their friends, family and neighbors we would get a long way. When you run into a Bush supporter, ask "and how is your life better?" I have found that this stops people dead. This battle is going to be won in America's backyards. Forget the media...it's hand to hand combat now...personal. Let's not "preach to the choir". We need to personally go after the folks who don't bother to vote and the folks who are wavering or undecided. If each of us resolved to talk to someone like that every week, we will make a difference.

[ClassWarrior]

1. Amen Raven!!

Volunteer for Kerry - for ACT - for MoveOn - for True Majority - or just sign up to become a voter registrar in your area...

BUT DO SOMETHING!!!

ANYTHING!!

EVEN A HALF-HOUR A WEEK HELPS!


<okay, end of rant>

[Raven]

6. I saw this in action today.

In the span of about 1/2 hour I showed 7 people how to register to vote. I said "it's easy, takes about 5 minutes". I figure that if I can do that every week for the next several weeks, I'll have a mini voting bloc. But it still amazes me how many people are not registered or who don't think that their vote really counts.

[wildeyed]

8. Just started volunteering

doing voter registration and I really enjoy it. I am stay-at-home with the kids all week, so it is great to get out and talk to grown-ups and do some good on the weekends.

[Th1onein]

2. I agree, Raven.

I think that many of us are already doing that, and if not, they need to start.

[Frodo]

3. MY backyard???

Excuse me, I have some lawn care to attend to.

[osaMABUSh]

4. Remember the network effect

If you get a few people to lean or go for Kerry then they in turn may get some others to do the same.

[JPJones]

5. And don't make fun of Kerry like was done to Gore

Find out what you like about Kerry:

Kerry is really smart.

Kerry volunteered to command a swiftboat, that says a lot about his character.

etc. Repeat often. If you know your neighbors, volunteer to be a precinct captain or whatever.

[wildeyed]

7. I have thought about starting

a chain email along these lines.

Election Year Challenge

Commit to register at least five Democratic voters before October.

I did three in one day, the women who cleans my house and her husband (long time voters, but they just moved and needed to change their polling place) and the young women who works the front desk at my gym (first time voter, but excited about taking part in the November election). A young friend of mine registered 11 first time voters at a keg party between midnight and 1 AM.

People we know and interact with on a regular basis will be more influenced to vote if the message is coming from someone they know and like.

You can download the voter registration form from this website (insert your state board of elections site) or pick up a stack at your local board of elections.

Be sure to mail the completed forms yourself to ensure that the form is actually mailed. For voters to be eligible to vote on November 2, forms must be at the Board of Elections no later than Friday, October 8 (at least this is true in NC where I live).

We are laying the groundwork to defeat George W. Bush and elect Democrats in federal, state, and local elections in 2004 one new voter at a time. Because close elections are won on the ground, it takes each one of us to make it happen. Pass this on to your friends and help them to make a difference, too!

I have been holding off, I am fearful that people would forget to mail the forms. Maybe I just lack faith in human nature.

[Raven]

9. You are so right!

Don't hold off! If people forget to send in their registration, so be it. At least you have gotten them that far and made them think. This campaign, I think, is on the ground from now on...up close and personal! One guy who passed my registration table this morning stopped and said to me: "Tell them that this may be the last time they'll be able to vote". That sent a chill down my spine. But maybe the motto is "Vote! as if it will be the last time you can vote".

[AndyTiedye]

10. If There Are Any Bush* Supporters in My Backyard, They're Being Real Quiet

But how could anyone in California support Bush* after he let
his friends at Enron rob us blind.

[Stew225]

11. My dog is a bit aggressive. eom

[Raven]

12. Oh, and one more thing...

standing out in public is a little nervewracking. I'm somewhat shy, and there were some people today who sneered at me. No one likes that to happen but I simply said to them politely, "Thanks and good luck". Most people hate to be rejected but you have to just get over that. One couple that I talked to said that F911 was all lies. I asked them if they had seen the movie and they said they had not. How stupid is that. I said "well, maybe it's worth seeing and while you are at it, take an inventory of your lives. How much are you spending on gas and on milk and on cereal and how much are you able to save for the future, for your kids' education?" They went away but maybe a seed was sown. Who knows!

[ClassWarrior]

13. Then there's the proverbial...

...lick envelopes and paint posters. There's something for everyone to do, even people who are shy. VOLUNTEER!

[wildeyed]

14. Shyness is ok.

One of the guys that helps out allot with my voter registration events is very shy. But he is the most helpful and reliable volunteer I have. I just pair him up with someone who is very outgoing and everything works out fine. Plus, he is getting better at approaching people so working thees events is probably benefiting him in ways beyond just helping to bring about political change.