malkusm
01-07-2008, 08:15 PM
Hey guys - I went canvassing for the first time tonight and I figured I'd let you guys know how it went. Also, I'd really encourage others to do it. Believe me when I say that I'm a TERRIBLE public speaker and I'm usually VERY nervous when it comes to talking to strangers, but it's a lot easier than you might think.
I hit about 35 houses in 90 minutes, which doesn't sound like a lot, but I had to move my car multiple times (I had a list of the registered Republicans which was sorted by street - I did both sides of two pretty busy streets).
Of the 35 houses, 15 either nobody was home or they didn't answer the door. So I just left the slim jim next to the mailbox where they would see it and it couldn't blow away. 5 had never heard of Ron Paul before, so that really gave me a chance to state some of his major platforms (Constitutional government, strong on immigration, man of character, no income tax & restore the dollar).
My method was to ask the person "Are you planning on voting in the primary next month?" Then say, "well, what's the biggest issue for you in the election?" I got a lot of different responses on this: a lot said immigration, a couple said pro-life, a couple said education (they were teachers), etc. None said the war - so I didn't bring it up. If it comes down to, the person likes everything about Ron but the war, I figure it's best to convince them of EVERYTHING ELSE first, so that when they're about to support him and hear he's anti-war, they will at least hear the reasons why (as they can tell at that point that he's principled and intelligent).
The biggest thing here was, I met 2 or 3 people who said they would seriously consider voting for Dr. Paul. NOW HERE'S THE BEST PART. The transcript (more or less) of one of them follows:
Me: Hi sir, I was just wondering if you were planning on voting in next month's primary?
Him: Yes, I think so.
Me: Well, what's your biggest issue in this election?
Him: (long sigh) Well, I really feel like...(pause)...I'm a McCain supporter, basically. He's the only one who I've heard mention the Constitution. I'm really a Madisonian type Republican - I mean - I think the government needs to be cut back to the point where it was limited by the words of the Constituion.
Me: Really, have you heard of Ron Paul?
Him: Ron Paul? No, I don't think so.
Me: (hands slim jim) Well, you pretty much just recited his campaign platform word for word.
It thrilled me that I found someone who was so aligned with Ron Paul's political views, who had NEVER heard of him! If there's one in the first 35 houses I go to, there are others for sure. The point is, get out there and talk to people and spread awareness - some people are actually dejected and want someone with a message like this and a candidate they can believe in.
I hit about 35 houses in 90 minutes, which doesn't sound like a lot, but I had to move my car multiple times (I had a list of the registered Republicans which was sorted by street - I did both sides of two pretty busy streets).
Of the 35 houses, 15 either nobody was home or they didn't answer the door. So I just left the slim jim next to the mailbox where they would see it and it couldn't blow away. 5 had never heard of Ron Paul before, so that really gave me a chance to state some of his major platforms (Constitutional government, strong on immigration, man of character, no income tax & restore the dollar).
My method was to ask the person "Are you planning on voting in the primary next month?" Then say, "well, what's the biggest issue for you in the election?" I got a lot of different responses on this: a lot said immigration, a couple said pro-life, a couple said education (they were teachers), etc. None said the war - so I didn't bring it up. If it comes down to, the person likes everything about Ron but the war, I figure it's best to convince them of EVERYTHING ELSE first, so that when they're about to support him and hear he's anti-war, they will at least hear the reasons why (as they can tell at that point that he's principled and intelligent).
The biggest thing here was, I met 2 or 3 people who said they would seriously consider voting for Dr. Paul. NOW HERE'S THE BEST PART. The transcript (more or less) of one of them follows:
Me: Hi sir, I was just wondering if you were planning on voting in next month's primary?
Him: Yes, I think so.
Me: Well, what's your biggest issue in this election?
Him: (long sigh) Well, I really feel like...(pause)...I'm a McCain supporter, basically. He's the only one who I've heard mention the Constitution. I'm really a Madisonian type Republican - I mean - I think the government needs to be cut back to the point where it was limited by the words of the Constituion.
Me: Really, have you heard of Ron Paul?
Him: Ron Paul? No, I don't think so.
Me: (hands slim jim) Well, you pretty much just recited his campaign platform word for word.
It thrilled me that I found someone who was so aligned with Ron Paul's political views, who had NEVER heard of him! If there's one in the first 35 houses I go to, there are others for sure. The point is, get out there and talk to people and spread awareness - some people are actually dejected and want someone with a message like this and a candidate they can believe in.