Canvassing 2012: Knock, Knock...

[xocet]

(The apartment door opens.)

Hard Working (Yet Derided) Progressive Canvasser: "Good afternoon, (Potential Democratic Voter)! I am here to ask you to vote for the re-election of President Barack Obama."

HW(YD)PC: "Oh...well, yes, I am sorry that you are unemployed...Yes, I...I am sorry that you lost your home..."

HW(YD)PC: "You don't EVEN want to consider the re-election of President Obama?...BUT I assure you that he has done many, many good..."

HW(YD)PC: "Yes, I know the economy is not doing well....Yes, but the Republicans...No, I know he did not go after the banks....He had to support them fully so that the economy would...."

HW(YD)PC: "Yes, the Wall Street Bankers DID cause this...BUT THE Republicans...Yes, I can see that you are still unemployed, and I am sorry that that is...."

HW(YD)PC: "Well, no, he did not end the Bush Tax cuts...BUT THE Republicans were willing to destroy the economy...Yes...Yes...I know that that does not help you feed your family or get your home back....You say that it was illegally foreclosed upon?...I see...Yes...Yes...President Obama DOES want to help Main Street...He wants to help you, BUT THE REPUBLICANS have...."

HW(YD)PC: "Ok...ok...I see that you feel now that the Democrats only care about the Wall Street bankers, but I assure you that President Obama cares about Main...Why did he support Wall Street over Main Street you ask? Well, he thought that....Why did he choose people from Wall Street to take positions of power you ask? Well, he thought that it was necessary to do that to save the...Yes, I...I know....You are still unemployed, and you still have lost your home...."

HW(YD)PC: "I...I am sorry about those things, but can you imagine how bad a REPUBLICAN...Ok...Ok...Just please remember that President Obama was given the worst possible circum...Yes, he did have a Democratic majority in the House and in the Senate, BUT THE REPUBLICANS...Ok...Ok...just please consider giving President Obama your vote for president this November. Thank you for your time."

(The apartment door closes.)

[Tx4obama]

1. Just remind that unemployed person that ...

The GOP held the Unemployment Benefits Extension HOSTAGE.
And the GOP forced President Obama to extent the Bush Tax-Cuts in order to get the GOP in Congress to pass the Unemployment Benefits Extension.

p.s. There are many 'positives' if one takes the time to look for them ;)

[xocet]

2. Yes, there are many, many positives, but it will be the state of the economy....

and not the respective abilities of the canvassers to make excuses that will influence the outcome of the election.

[CakeGrrl]

4. Do you think the GOP holds the answer to fixing the economy, then?

And if you don't, why not?

THAT is what people need to be educated about.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Is that the rebuttal you recommend when canvassing?

Really? Knock knock. Snark Snark. Bye bye?

[merbex]

7. Check out how the GOP were scared to death that Obama would make

them look like scrooges right before the holidays by emphasizing how the UE benefits would help people, families, the economy......but he DID NOT.......he just would NOT make the case.

HE CAVED

And By CAVING he showed them HOW to hold OTHER THINGS HOSTAGE as well.

That trade off of Bush tax cuts and UE benefits was a TOTAL FAILURE and absence of leadership

Hi poll numbers in matchups vs GOP contenders reflect it.....it has been a summer of drip drip drip

[Cali_Democrat]

24. +1000

[FrenchieCat]

3. Folks I talk to say something different.......

goes like this....

Hard Working (Yet Derided) Progressive Canvasser: "Good afternoon, (Potential Democratic Voter)! I am here to ask you if you have witnessed the over the top Obama hatred in where Republicans are choosing party over country by trying to make sure that no job programs get through their majorities? Me, I've decided to make a difference and do as Pres. Obama requested that we all do back on Election 2008 Victory night. He wanted us not to just vote for him and then wait on him to solve 30 years worth of problems. He stated that night, that in this democracy, he wouldn't be able to do it without us....and I think he meant it, considering what he's been up against."

HW(YD)PC: "Oh...well, yes, I am very sorry that you are unemployed, and to be honest, so Am I! Did you know that that what President Obama was negotiating for back in December was extended unemployment benefits for folks who are losing their jobs due to Republican Governor shrinking Government, i.e., firing Government workers, or what Corporations are doing; staying lean and mean by downsizing our workforce? He knew that in hard times, as a nation, we'd have to help the lesser of thee. Isn't it strange how Republicans were negotiating to help Corporations and millionaires to continue getting the tax breaks that they didn't ask for and didn't need, while Pres. Obama had to fight just to make sure that people losing their jobs weren't left out in the cold? Can you imagine what would have happened if Republicans would have been setting all of the policies? Not only wouldn't we have a job, but we wouldn't have any unemployment insurance either! That's frightening to even think about!

Yes, I...I am very sorry that you lost your home... and isn't it sad that the Banking industry was allowed to run wild without regulations during the housing bubble. Did you know that they now want to get rid of the new financial regulations that President Obama signed into law? I'm not sure why Republican lawmakers think that what got us into this mess is supposed to get us out...but here they are again, pushing deregulation like its their drug! Didn't they get the memo that if you keep doing the same thing, you get the same result?


HW(YD)PC: "Yes, I know the economy is not doing well...., but the Republicans are certainly making it worse. They ran on Jobs, Jobs, Jobs in 2010, and they haven't done a thing other than vote against anything President Obama proposes. You know like I know that the President can't pull jobs out of his back pocket! Not in this democracy. We need a new congress, without those tea party people in it! Look, Republicans are fighting us tooth and nail on even the most modest of proposals to get us out of this mess. President Obama does understands that consumer spending is what makes the economy strong. That's why he made sure to give us a payroll tax break....so that those who don't have a lot, could keep some money in their own pocket, and buy what they needed. But no, the Republicans want to raise those taxes, although they will fight to the death, and bring our country to the brink just so that there aren't any increases in the tax rates of millionaires and Billionaires. Just ask Warren Buffett. He's the very rich guy who said he didn't need any stinkin' tax breaks."

HW(YD)PC: "Yes, the Wall Street Bankers DID cause this, and Wall street Bankers support the Republicans, because they don't like the financial regulations that were put in place by President Obama. They don't want their taxes to go up, and they don't want any rules of the road, no matter how modest they are!


HW(YD)PC: "Well, no, he did not end the Bush Tax cuts...BUT THE Republicans were willing to destroy the economy...Yes...Yes...I know that that does not help you feed your family or get your home back, but know that if the Republicans win, you'll not only not get anything ever, they will make sure your kids don't even have the chance of thinking about college. Republicans want to have as many people as possible, working for the least amount of money, so that Corporation can have cheap labor. ....You say that it was illegally foreclosed upon? Well, what we need to do is to vote very single Republican out of office, come 2012. President Obama warned us in giving them the keys back, and yet, that's exactly what happened! I see...Yes...Yes...President Obama DOES want to help Main Street, but Main street has to help him too. Main street is a two way street, you know. Republicans already have got Wall Street covered, so we don't need to worry about the stockholders and the bankers for sure! Look, we can't be passive and wait to be rescued, since President Obama isn't a dictator or a king. He needs a congress that will pass his proposals because he wants to help us all, BUT THE REPUBLICANS have decided that you don't need any help, and you just need to find your bootstraps! I keep saying ObamaCares, and Republicans just don't give a fig unless you are rich or a corporation!...."

HW(YD)PC: "Right before Obama was inaugurated, we were losing 750,000 jobs per month at that time! Just in 2010, Pres. Obama created more jobs in that one year, then President Bush had created in his entire 8 years! President Obama was able to right the ship with the stimulus, which saved many, many jobs, which of course, our Corporate media didn't want to tell you about. They would have preferred we talk about the President's birth certificate. Crazy....I know!


HW(YD)PC: BTW, did you know that President Obama only had a majority to overcome the Republicans record breaking filibusters for only 49 days?...including Joe Lieberman? Yep, I'm no joking! Well for a long while, Sen. Franken wasn't sworn in because his opponent had him fighting court! Yeah...and then of course, we lost Sen. Kennedy right around that time too. Yes, I miss him too.
I wasn't sure you knew that, because no one wants to discuss the truth anymore. Everyone just wants to be right about everything, even when they are wrong or totally exaggerating!


HW(YD)PC: Yes, yes....I'm sure you are tired of the Republicans attacking President Obama on everything he does, and I am too! The guy can't even go on vacation, for goodness sakes! Not even when he's clearing dictators instead of brush! I know, I know....we do need to get rid of those tea party crazies. I just think they are just misinformed. I mean, what can you think when they are holding signs saying "Government hands off my Medicare!" Too bad they are supporting the corporations instead of supporting the people...yeah...supporting Main Street. It's almost unbelievable!

HW(YD)PC: "Ok...ok...I'm glad I got you fired up! Yes, of course we need your help! We must not allow Republicans to take us back to where we were, when the country literally melted away in 2008 under George Bush!

HW(YD)PC: Hey! I've got an idea! Since you are still unemployed, and you still have lost your home...., Why don't you come and help us get the truth out? We need help spreading the message that the Corporate news media refuse to tell. Let's make sure that voters remember that President Obama was given the worst possible circum...Yes, 30 years of deregulation and tax cuts for the very wealthy, and the Republicans want to do it again! They started two wars that they didn't pay for, and they couldn't even get Bin Laden!

HW(YD)PC: Here's my card. Please call me! We've got work to do.....and we have to show those Republicans that we are in it, to win it! Don't even get me started on the Supreme Court, and what is at play there! Citizen's United? Oh...glad you are aware of that and what that means we are up against! Yep, yep, and did you hear Mitt Romney saying that Corporations are people too? That guy must be out of his mind! Yes...just call me! No don't thank me for my time, I'm thanking you for yours! Yep...it's hard work, but someone has to save us from ourselves....and I'm willing to fight for what I know is right, instead of telling others just to do it for me! ....Sure, call me anytime!"

(The apartment door closes.)

Perhaps the difference is the folks that I know, are In it to Win it. They aren't knocking doors "For" Obama, they are knocking doors For their future, and they aren't going to be wimps about it. Just because what you wrote shows one who may have been gullible (i.e., uninfomred) to buy into the bullshit spewed all over the place from those posing as Democrats, as well as those who don't give a doggone shit, the folks I know have their priorities in order, and actually have balls in their pants. They will be the ones that will save us from ourselves, and those who truly don't care about any issue, but pretend to.

[xocet]

11. Why don't you come and canvass in Missouri? We got about a 3% local change from 67% Republican...

to 64% Republican in 2008 election, but could not get the 2010 election numbers to favor the incumbent Democrat. I don't know where you canvass, but you certainly could help out here in central Missouri.

[FrenchieCat]

14. My daughter and her husband live in MO, and I'm sure they'll be doing some of that!

[xocet]

15. That is good to hear, because it is desperately needed here. n/t

[Inuca]

17. Thank you! n/t

[Dawgs]

20. Ah, the other guy made Obama do all of those things, so vote for Obama strategy.

Got it.

:eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

25. Naw....I think you got yourself.....

When someone is truly desperate, and has no answer,
they come up with your bullshit! Good luck with that.
I'm sure you'll be canvasing for Perry or some shit.

[Tiggeroshii]

5. Or remind that person that if Republicans take control then the unemployment benefits and food stamp

..benefits will likely be eliminated; this may result in mass starvations and death due to the elimination of beneifts that people are relying on in order to live. This is not even being over-dramatic. This is real. If the tea party gets its way then ALL social programs created to protect people from an economic crash like the one we experienced will be gone, and we will suffer like many of those suffered before FDR gave us the new deal.

[polmaven]

6. In addition to

Social Security benefits an Medicare benefits, and Medicaid benefits...HCR reform will be eliminated thereby going back to what we had...Children and many young adults and those with pre-existing conditions will be unable to get medical coverage....!

[Bluenorthwest]

12. If I was presented that level of language, I'd instantly ask why

the President and other Democrats were not speaking out loudly with the same message. If Obama is looking at the possibility of 'mass starvation' in the US and his response is 'let's compromise more with those who want mass death' he is derelict in his duty. As long as the President is calling for bipartisan compromise, the rhetoric you are using does not fit the narrative he is telling.
So you intend tell them what about the constant bipartisan objectives of the President, if the objectives of the GOP are as you say they are? That he would compromise and settle for much starvation, but not 'mass starvation' and tons of death, but somewhat less than under the original Republican plan?
If bipartisanship is central to the message you are selling, you really will have to moderate your language about the other Party. "they are Satan, and I am willing to meet them half way" is not a winning pitch.

[Tiggeroshii]

13. Obama never put food stamps on the table...

And while he did agree to cuts, he didn't agree anything close to eliminating any programs. The Republicans do literally want to eliminate those things, and if they get their way it will have some very major consequences, such as what I said above. Things are getting too serious to "mediate" our language for the sake of bipartisanship. And yeah, hopefully Obama realizes that real fucking soon, before it's too late.

[BklnDem75]

8. You suck at canvassing...

Please don't help.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JoePhilly]

23. LOL ..... spot on.

A real canvasser would know SPECIFICALLY how Obama's decisions have positively effected the local area., and how specific local representatives helped or hindered such efforts.

[LWolf]

16. I think you are prescient. nt

[treestar]

18. I know it could be demeaning to you but knock to get them to vote

for a Democratic congressman and Senator if applicable.

Those matter too, you know.

[dionysus]

19. sd

[scheming daemons]

21. Show them a picture of Rick Perry.... instant Obama voter. No need for any dialog.

[Peacetrain]

22. who is zooming who..there is no canvassing going on right now..

The only activity we have been doing is the county fairs and starting to get up for activities outside of labor day.. where are you door to door canvassing at?

[xocet]

26. I see you did not understand the 2012 bit. 2012 is a "year" - it is part of a thing called...

the "future". Check into a neat piece of technology called a "calendar" sometime. You just might find it educational.

Peace out.