Posted on 07/16/2016 11:33:35 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat
I spent another morning knocking on doors for the Trump/Pence campaign and wanted to give my after action report.
For those of you who aren't aware, the gop is in charge of the "ground game" for Get Out The Vote (GOTV). What that means as a practical matter is that volunteers and a handful of paid staffers are knocking on doors, surveying potential voters, identifying people who are pro-Trump/ pro-gop and trying to bring in a November victory. I'm one of those volunteers knocking on doors.
Myself and my partner were assigned a fairly stable, working class neighborhood. And unlike last weekend, we found a lot of people at home. It was a really neat morning. Keep in mind that the idea here is to target the undecideds, soft gop and soft 'rat voters. If you're a strong gop or 'rat voter, we're not knocking on your door: there's really no point.
The demographics of this neighborhood were white, working class and I'm pleased to report that the folks we targeted were overwhelmingly in favor of Trump. Nice folks, even the 'rats who wouldn't vote for DJT on a bet were polite, shook my hand, and were relatively pleasant.
Some surprises:
- Gov McAuliffe's Felon Voters plan might not work out quite as he expected. I met one person who told me he would vote for Donald Trump if he could, but he couldn't because he was a convicted felon from many years ago. I was pleased to inform him that due to Gov. McAuliffe's action, he could register and vote in the election. I chatted it up afterwards and it turns out that others are running into that as well. We tend to assume that convicted felons who have their rights restored are a lock for the 'rats. That might need a serious rethink.
- Met a guy who was a Christian missionary in the middle east. His insights on islam were fascinating. What really got me was his discussion on how mohammedans proselytize and evangelize. That insight was worth the price of admission.
Not-so-surprises:
- This stable, working class area was a gop areas. I saw a lot of Trump signs and the folks we talked to who were identified as "soft" or "undecided" were very pro-Trump. I strongly believe that the future of the gop, if it is to have one, is with the working class. These are untilled fields, folks. It's up to us to till them.
- I'd say for this area it was 80/20 Trump. Of course that isn't reflective of this area as a whole or Virginia by a long shot. But it is heartening.
Finally a pitch: this is fun and fascinating work. If you can, you should walk some precincts and knock on doors. The internet is fine and dandy, but the real work and the real persuasion I think is done face to face. Truly it's knocking on doors and making calls now, or have a nightmare in November.
Taxman Bravo Zulu!
Thanks for what you are doing!
Keep up the good work!
As my site handle implies, I’m suitably attired for the occasion. And you’re partnered up in any case.
Some folks won’t answer the door or you get to shout through a storm door. No big deal. Just part of the fun.
Great report.
Re: The party provides the ground game.
If more FReepers, Trumpsters, Cruzers joined you they would control the local party also. Face to Face is the way to go.
Are you registering the unregistered? People move frequently and often are not registered at their correct address. We cant tell them to go vote at their former address as the other side does. So it is critical that we find and register our friends.
Play the odds. 70% of people you register will vote your way, just because you got them registered and therefore you are their leader.
The shift in votes is more a vote for, or against, the door knocker than a vote for or against the candidate. Those troops have a role in the battle. The general cant do everything.
You’re brave because there are some people who really hate Trump, and you don’t know who is going to answer that door. I’m pleased to hear that you’ve gotten good responses.
A lot of pro-Trump yard signs in Southern Maryland.
If more of “our” folks would do the work, we would control the party apparatus, period. Regardless of who the titular heads are. As with any organization, that which is not funded...by money or sweat equity...just doesn’t get done. So either inspire the ground troops or plan on bringing large amounts of cash. And as Jeb? So aptly showed, money in large wheelbarrows full doesn’t necessarily get you much anymore. Sometimes money just can’t buy you love.
As for voter registration, we’re a little more circumspect. We want to find out who they’re voting for. If they’re tending our side, we ask if everyone in the house is registered to vote at this address. If they’re a hitlery supporter, we thank them kindly for their time.
So far, haven’t had a problem or heard of a problem. We work in pairs; its really more efficient, safer, and controls the message better.
If the person is an overt hitlery supporter, we thank them for their time and walk.
I also happen to be a very big guy and I walk the talk when it comes to RKBA. So theres nothing much to worry about.
That’s good to hear. Would be nice if some of those folks could make a daring foray into VA where the end result is more in doubt.
yes, but I’m a noobie
yes, but I’m a noobie
It works well and I’ve noticed that by and large, it’s pretty on point as to accuracy. If it says Joe Blow is at this address and is a soft ‘rat, it’s usually pretty close. My partner and I have worked it so one person does the app, the other does most of the talking.
Frankly I’m pretty impressed. For a shoe string operation we have some cool tools. And I think that we’ve got the right sort of people knocking on doors. Just need a whole lot more of them.
Thanks for your work. Keep it up! We went to help at a Republican Booth in Menlo Park, CA today for a couple of hours. It’s a small thing but it’s all the little drops that fill the ocean, you know!
Just talking to a gal who works for the NVRP and she said the Dems know where these pokemon pieces are and they are signing up voters.
Good comments on voter registration. Sometimes it is short range vs long range. Sometimes it is playing the odds.
Doing voter registration at a gun show, or the public appearance of a conservative talk radio host, or in certain churches the odds are with you. If 60% of those you register are with you, you win.
When I registered hundreds of Hispanics in the working class suburb I knew that shortrange they would vote for my conservative anti-corruption candidate. It was a gamble on following elections. Subsequently They voted against the establishment GOP candidate...but I didnt vote for him either. So I can’t criticize.
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