Posted on 09/10/2008 1:41:12 PM PDT by taxcontrol
I was just exposed to the ugly internal politics of my local GOP fiefdom (party). I attempted to volunteer to work on election day as a judge/poll worker etc for the party and was treated very badly.
I would think it would be easier for a campaign to move this lady to another role that will not involve interacting with people than to alter the leadership and roles in a GOP office which is more long term.
Regarding the role you want others have mentioned maybe you do not need to go through the office but possible take another route to do what you are interested in.
I understand your frustration and anger. However it looks as though there it may be a good opportunity to get this complaint out to hirer ups to do as they will with this offensive wall of a woman. Do not give up, it is time we started not tolerating abuse from our own party, but get rid of the whack jobs that are a hinderance to freedom, democracy, equality, fiscal responsibility, liberty, and border sanity and security.
In Ohio you call the board of elections to volunteer to be a poll judge. Then if there is an opening then the county or a city council member will call you about doing it. It has nothing to do with the parties here other than each poll has to have 2 D’s and 2 R’s to open for elections.
League of Women Voters (really, they talk to women AND men) and find the national campaign worker (don’t talk to the kids, they’re lucky they can find the bathroom). If you don’t have a national campaign worker, mail a private post to me and I’ll put you in touch with one. Believe me, I will help you get on board.
I guess I am of the mind that if I want to assist someone I show up and ask how can I be of service? I go where they need me, not where I decide to go. However what they ask me to do I filter through my other obligations and then decide if i can do what they have asked me to do.
I see being of service as being there to assist where I am needed, whatever that may be.
This woman is clearly a poor and offensive communicator and would best serve elsewhere though. They need someone else there in her role that is a positive and encouraging communicator that also knows how to set limits.
McCain/Palin headquarters, ask for the national campaign worker assigned. If you can’t find one, let me know. We’ll get you in touch with someone from the national campaign.
Nows, the time. They are begging for Poll Watchers. Here locally, the attorneys will train you. All you do is observe and don’t let yourself be distracted by the friendly Democrat Poll Watcher. Have a cell phone and the number to call if things start to run amok.
Sarah Palin didn’t cry about such people. She defeated them!
No, it isn’t a coveted job, as when the precinct is heavily democratic, they often appoint two democrats as there are no republicans. Our advice last night was to get on board now, and they will apply for a waiver in the precincts where there are no republican volunteers. They need time to train you and apply for the waiver. It can be done.
Thanks so much Constitutions Grandchild! Helpful information across the board as well as your info. for the original poster. Hope the poster is able to contribute as he/she set out to do.
“First, I was told that I would have to come in and basically be interviewed.”
too much trouble, eh, Sparky? Tough row to hoe? Glad you didn’t make the cut, wussy.
Sadly, the local party operations tend to be fiefdoms for the type of people who used to run for student council in high school. We all know the type.
In 2004, I bypassed the whole mess and had a friend of mine get me assigned to help keep an eye on the counting of absentee ballots in Nevada. Turned out to be essentially a 3-day vacation, as the poll numbers in Nevada came in so heavily GOP that the absentee ballots weren’t that important.
I was a poll watcher in 2004 {and carried my snubby 38}, a cell phone, camera and digital recorder.
They sent us into indian territory, and the brothers were not happy.
We kept most of the double voting from happening, as the voting rate was down to about 200 {compared to 409 [100%]} in 2000.
GWB got 4 votes.
It was scary, not coveted.
Exactly! Where the polls need watching is not a place for your elderly grandmother, wife or 18-year-old daughter or son. These are rough precincts, but that’s where it goes on.
Call again. Don’t give up. Contact RNC, do it for them from home.
Just because a few people were jerks doesn’t mean the whole party is that way.
And my point behind all of this is that IF the GOP is truly interested in adding party workers, they need to have a program to bring new people into the fold. Had I been politely told ...”Gee, we are already filled up on judges / poll workers, but could really use some help with ....”.
I would have come away with a much better impression.
Thank you ... I think I will do that, I just don’t know where to begin. My primary reason for wanting to work was to assure the validity of the elections. As Colorado is a tight battle ground state, I fear the temptation for someone to cheat will be too great to withstand.
Thank you for reinforcing my point that if the GOP is going to increase it’s workers it needs to change it’s attitude.
Let me know if you need a contact. That goes for anyone on FR. I’ll try to connect you with the right people. This IS a participatory democracy, folks, and that means us.
I do understand what you ran up against. The Party is full of self-important jackasses. I've brought hundreds, probably thousands into the party over the years. I keep a list of the best and maintain personal contact, even if it's just a Christmas card. When they have problems, they come to me.
Party structures are there to go around.
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