Simple guide for Precinct Captains to win their area

[libertygrl]

I just had my first canvassing experience on Sat. I was really nervous at first, but then I settled into it and I actually had fun!

My father is my secret weapon. He's a senior citizen and people seem to be more receptive when he comes along!

[Laja]

sweet! i'd like to keep this thread going. every piece of advice and sharing of experience is helping move closer and closer to actually signing up for Precinct Captain and getting out and canvassing. I don't know what it is, but I'm really scared to talk to people about my beliefs.

Can any of you share what's the first thing you say to someone when they open the door and maybe give a little sample conversation?

Thanks!

[cswake]

Here is my script:

(Smile, hold slim jim out in front of you and angled toward them so they can glance at it - my favorite one is the Reagan picture with "A True Conservative. A Real Republican.")

Hi, I'm Conrad from your local voting precinct. Do you plan on voting this February 5th?

(If no, then he/she is an apathetic voter and I tell them how I am a first time voter and tell them he cured my apathy - speak the truth and know why he did)

If yes:

So, have you decided on a candidate? (If they say yes, ask if it is Paul. 99% of the time it isn't so just smile and say thanks for your time and have a good day. DO NOT push.)

It sounds like you're undecided, what issues are most important to you? (Speak to their issues, if they have none, just point them to the Ron Paul website issue page. I specifically mention that there are the videos of him speaking to the audience about the issue. If there is a window, I also try to tell them: "I support Paul because he ... ")

I hand them the slim jim and tell them to have a good day.

[cswake]

My email for contacting donors:

Good morning, <NAME>.

I am contacting you on behalf of the Ron Paul grassroots campaign since you are identified as a donor to Ron Paul’s national campaign.

You are probably well-aware that the Georgia Republican primary is coming on February 5th, just three weeks away. We have started the local effort to get name recognition and show of support for Ron Paul in our local precincts, including billboards, TV and radio advertisements, as well as yard signs. The latter is why I contact you. With your permission, I’d like to put a free 2’ x 4’ yard sign on your front lawn that will help in our efforts for a strong showing by Congressman Paul in our local precinct.

If you do want to show your support for Congressman Paul with a yard sign, please provide me your physical address. Also, if you have any neighbors that you know to be supporters as well, feel free to give them my contact information.

Thanks!
Conrad
999-999-9999 (Mobile)

I ask them for their physical address, even though I already have it, because I want to give them a few seconds to think about it just in case they do have some friends who might want one. (They can't just reply "SURE!")

[Jobarra]

sweet! i'd like to keep this thread going. every piece of advice and sharing of experience is helping move closer and closer to actually signing up for Precinct Captain and getting out and canvassing. I don't know what it is, but I'm really scared to talk to people about my beliefs.

Can any of you share what's the first thing you say to someone when they open the door and maybe give a little sample conversation?

Thanks!

My conversations go like this. I modified the first of the three canvassing questions, but it's similar to what is in the canvassing directions:

1) Undecided
They come to the door.
Me: "Hi, my name is .... I'm a volunteer canvasser for Ron Paul for President 2008"
Them: "Okay" or nothing.
Me: "Are you going to being voting in the primaries coming up on Jan 30th?"(our county votes almost a week ahead of the state this year)
Them: "Yes"
Me:"Have you decided on a candidate yet?"
Them: "No, not really"
Me: "Have you heard of Dr. Paul before?" while handing them a slim jim, which everyone seems eager to take because they see it in my hand. It just seems to be a conditioned response to take something someone is offering you.

Depending on what they say, I go into a general overview on him if they haven't(Republican, strict constitutionalist, got into politics because he didn't like how the government was handling the economy and monetary policy, is interested in economics and monetary policy for the most part, etc.)

Me: "Are there any particular issues that you are more concerned about this year?"
I have seen one person that had specific issues and it was healthcare. For the most part, they say there aren't any issues they are strongly concerned about. I usually talk about a few of the issues and stances if they have no particular interest. I try to keep it on the economy; scaling back the federal government, he has never raised taxes, he wants to eventually get rid of the IRS, he has never voted for a balanced budget. I try to keep controversial stuff like Iraq out of the conversation unless they talk about it at which point I tell them about his policy there.

At this point, if they seem truly interested in learning about other candidates, I'll usually ask them if they want a free DVD made by the grassroots(Ron Paul Reveres DVD). I tell them it's made by the grassroots and not affiliated with the campaign.

Some people just don't seem interested one way or another and are answering the door as an annoyance to them. These I just leave the slim jim with them. I would love to give out a DVD to everyone, but my meetup paid for them and they cost 25 cents a piece I think. Still very cost efficient, but we're not exactly millionaires

Whenever we seem to be done talking about issues:
Me: "Thank you. Have a good day."

2) Decided
They come to the door.
Me: "Hi, my name is .... I'm a volunteer canvasser for Ron Paul for President 2008"
Them: "Okay" or nothing.
Me: "Are you going to being voting in the primaries coming up on Jan 30th?"(our county votes almost a week ahead of the state this year)
Them: "Yes"
Me:"Have you decided on a candidate yet?"
Them: "Yes"

I think the canvassing directions say at this point to leave, but I added this little bit because I'm curious but I don't want to offend them by appearing pushy:
Me: Give them a smile "I don't suppose that it's Dr. Paul?"
Them: usually a smile or laugh back "No, I'm voting for ...."
I just like to get an idea of what other candidates are being voted on in the area. If they are really friendly(and this is pushing it probably) I'll ask them why they decided on the candidate mentioned. I'm actually really curious about this after hearing someone say they were deciding between Obama and McCain at one of the first houses yesterday.

Whenever we seem to be done talking:
Me: "Thank you. Have a good day."

[Laja]

cswake and jobarra, thanks sooooooooooo much for taking the time to share your scripts. this is absolutely so helpful. i can't thank you enough. thank you, thank you, thank you!

[fireinme]

Thank you, I wish I could quit college and go and canvass for RP! I have so little time! I have one Huckabee supporter I am working on.

[RonPaulFTFW]

/blimp.

[smartguy911]

sticky this sucker

[Zym]

Blimp, sticky this, great advice.