Another thing that is wrong with the Democratic Party

[tblue37]

My son works in PR in Chicago, having just moved there for that job in February. He recently called and emailed several different Democratic organizations offering to do volunteer work for them. He left voicemails and even called back. But several days later, no one has returned his calls or responded to his emails.

In frustration—and as an experiment—he called a Republican organization. Within the hour, he had gotten an email and a nice phone call, offering to take him out for coffee to discuss what he might be able to do as a volunteer for the organization.

The woman who called him was very eager. “You’re in PR?” she said. “That’s wonderful. We’ve got the midterm elections coming up next year, and we could certainly use your talents!”

That’s it, guys. We’ve got the midterm elections coming up next year, but for some reason Democratic groups on the ground can’t even respond to someone who wants to volunteer his time and his professional skills to help out. The Republicans kick our ass because they take care of business at that level. They don’t just ignore those who want to help—they use them!

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. What you are talking about is money

Money for paid staff who sit in some office someplace organizing stuff and answering phones. Little or no money is spent by the democratic "machine" in a blue state like Illinois.

[Tigress DEM]

2. Because our people are working full time jobs and volnteering...

Rethugs have stolen taxpayers money and use stay at home moms to do their work.

DEMS are flying all over the country, on the web all the time trying to stay current and planning events on a shoestring while rethugs use money they have stolen from God knows where....

I'm sure it was frustrating for your son. But be realistic. All the rethugs are trying to do is tear things apart. How much easier is that than being the ones to put things together?

[Emit]

3. It's just the opposite where we live

My SO, a Republican (who NEVER voted for Bush) was curious about what the Repugs were up to here (we were going to infiltrate their meetings--check it out, see what we would find--maybe even try to take it back locally!). We called the local Repug party, left messages, etc. and no one ever called back.

Anyway, as far as the local Dem party, I do have to say that I was very disappointed when one of my friends called them a week and a half ago to ask if they were doing anything locally to support Cindy Sheehan. The response she received: they had no idea who Cindy Sheehan was!

[JDPriestly]

4. Tell your son to try DFA.

In my area of California, the Democratic Club is very strong, just great. But in the town next to mine, it is limping along while the DFA is going full force.

If he is in PR he can start his own organization. There is nothing wrong with that. I've been in grassroots organizations that really made a difference and that basically started by advertising on Meet-Up.

[tblue37]

5. Thanks.

I just emailed him your suggestion.

[second edition]

6. You know, this makes me mad!

We need all the help we can get on the PR end of things. A good many of our spokespeople are just terrible. They look bad (sloppy dressing and hair) and can't even articulate a reasonable answer. Why doesn't our party see a need to improve on our image? It just seems to be laziness and self importance.
Is you son going to do the volunteer work for the Repubs?