Volunteering for a candidate

Taualumna · #1 06-07-2004, 11:13 PM

Has anyone ever volunteered for a political candidate's campaign? Have you ever had weird canvassing stories to tell? I was canvassing for a candidate this afternoon in a so-called "swing" area. I was yelled at by someone at one house....actually almost biting is more like it. The man looked like he was practically going to grab me and shake me for "bothering him" with information from the party. Later on, I saw a woman actually yelling at the candidate, telling her how awful the party she is running for is. I've done this before, and I don't think I've ever encountered people this harsh in person. I have had a few nasty people on the phone though.

swissmiss04 · #2 06-07-2004, 11:17 PM

I think this is actually a pretty common occurrance for anyone going door to door or calling people trying to convince them to buy/vote for something. I volunteered for the McCain campaign but never really did much since he dropped out of the race.

Kevin · #3 06-07-2004, 11:33 PM

I wanted to volunteer a couple years ago. I was unfortunately working for the campus TV news station (anchor/reporter) so the prof in charge of the program nixed that idea.

The campaign I wanted to support didn't even make it out of the primaries though..

AlphaGamDiva · #4 06-08-2004, 01:53 AM

i haven't before, but i plan on it this year.

anyone with any advise?

TheEpitome1920 · #5 06-08-2004, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taualumna
Has anyone ever volunteered for a political candidate's campaign? Have you ever had weird canvassing stories to tell? I was canvassing for a candidate this afternoon in a so-called "swing" area. I was yelled at by someone at one house....actually almost biting is more like it. The man looked like he was practically going to grab me and shake me for "bothering him" with information from the party. Later on, I saw a woman actually yelling at the candidate, telling her how awful the party she is running for is. I've done this before, and I don't think I've ever encountered people this harsh in person. I have had a few nasty people on the phone though.

I've volunteered for Barack Obama, currently running for Senator of Illinois. My stepdad and I were going around the neighborhood giving people signs to put on their lawns. My stepdad goes up this young man and begins to talk him about Obama and when my stepdad goes to give him a sign he says "oh I don't live around here"

But you live in Illinois so what's the problem?

P.S. if Obama wins he will be the 3rd African American to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate.

GeekyPenguin · #6 06-08-2004, 11:06 PM

I've worked on several campaigns (state assembly, gubernatorial, and a failed presidential one) and I'm looking forward to volunteering this summer.

#7 06-08-2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
I've volunteered for Barack Obama, currently running for Senator of Illinois. My stepdad and I were going around the neighborhood giving people signs to put on their lawns. My stepdad goes up this young man and begins to talk him about Obama and when my stepdad goes to give him a sign he says "oh I don't live around here" But you live in Illinois so what's the problem?

P.S. if Obama wins he will be the 3rd African American to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Obama's also making headlines here in Hawaii, his birth state and boyhood home. He's definitely one of Punahou School's most distinguished alums.

Many of us here are hoping that he pulls a victory in Illinois!

To answer the original question, I've volunteered in two gubernatorial campaigns and will be volunteering again for a high school classmate running for a House seat in the state Legislature. I don't like going door to door, however. You can find me pushing the paper at campaign HQ.

CatStarESP4 · #8 06-09-2004, 02:17 AM

When I was 19, I did some volunteer work for a local politician for only a week. I was in an office setting, not canvasing. I also did a one day stint for Clinton before the election calling up registered voters and reminding them to vote. When I was 23, I volunteered for a mayorial candidate before I started graduate school. Again, I was in the office.

Lady Pi Phi · #9 06-09-2004, 09:32 AM

I volunteered with the PC candidate in my riding back in 1999. It was an asignment for my OAC politics class, but I enjoyed my experience.

I did a little bit of Canvassing and a little bit of phone work. I even monitored at a polling station (I had to check off peoples names off a list as they came into vote and I was there to ensure that the ballots were counted properly).

I rememer going to one house where the told me that they would be supporting my candidate but because so many teachers lived in their area that they were unable to put up a sign because they were afraind of upsetting the neighbours (big NDP street).

I also had one guy try to pick me up when I called him asking for his support. I had a few people yell at me, severl people hung up on me. But hey, it's their karma, not mine. Overall it was a good experience and if I had time I would do it again.

#10 06-09-2004, 01:17 PM

I've worked on a Congressional campaign doing office work, and done some really menial stuff for local elections when I lived with my parents (mainly making copies and boring stuff, but a little bit of phone canvassing)

I'm hoping to get involved with the presidential campaign, but honestly don't know where to get started as the other opportunities sort of fell in my lap

Tippiechick · #11 06-13-2004, 04:58 PM

Yes, in 2000, as an intern, I was sent to Baltimore for GTVO (Get the vote out) work...

The scheduling department made an error while making our reservations. Turns out, they put us in a hotel KNOWN in Towson for drug activity. After seeing a drug deal go down between a guy and the hotel desk clerk, I was seriously scared, because the guy had a gun in full view... (The desk clerk knew what room I was in and had the key code to get in if she wanted...)

We called the campaign and told them what happened. They called the Towson police and discussed the situation. When the police found out what had happened, they gave us a full police escort to another hotel in a better part of Baltimore. It only took 5 minutes from the time we hung up with the campaign until the cops got there...

That's the best story I have...

KSigkid · #12 06-13-2004, 05:44 PM

Did some neighborhood work for a local candidate, and may end up getting involved in the Bush campaign effort. Not sure yet though.

Kevin · #13 06-13-2004, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSigkid
Did some neighborhood work for a local candidate, and may end up getting involved in the Bush campaign effort. Not sure yet though.

You're in Massachusetts, so why?

KSigkid · #14 06-13-2004, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
You're in Massachusetts, so why?

Haha...not all of us here are Kerry fans.

I won't get into all the reasons, but basically I'd like to see Bush re-elected.

Kevin · #15 06-13-2004, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSigkid
Haha...not all of us here are Kerry fans.

I won't get into all the reasons, but basically I'd like to see Bush re-elected.

Me too.. but with the electoral college and everything.. well does Bush have a prayer in Mass?

They elect senators like Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.. I guess you must like a challenge