"We Don't Need That -- We Need You to Vote!"

Today's two presidential campaign rallies showcased a stark contrast in character and temperament: while John McCain grinned as his Pennsylvania supporters booed Barack Obama, Barack Obama heard a Florida supporter booing John McCain and said firmly: "We don't need that -- we need you to vote!"

This stark contrast between the candidates will be echoed in the field by their supporters over the next 14 days. For all Obama volunteers making house calls via phone bank or precinct walk, keeping on that higher plane will be essential to victory.

As you walk or call, consider this checklist of best practices for volunteers, excerpted from my book Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders.

Making House Calls: Best Practice for Volunteers

1. Think Locally: When You Go into a Community, Know the Customs
___ Sports (when is the Big Game? Don't walk or call then!)
___ Faith (Friday, Shabbes, or Sunday service; Wednesday prayer meeting)
___ Weather (if the voter is in the storm cellar, you should be too!)
___ Dress for success (appearance matters)

2. Act Locally: What You Say and Do Matters
___ Manners: RESPECT the voters and be an effective ambassador for your candidate
___ Listening: voters may vent! (Especially Independents or undecideds)
___ Talking: practice your script before calling or walking

3. Look Up: What's on the Air
___ Know the Issues
___ Know what ads each campaign is running (TV, radio, Internet)
___ Listen to what people are saying about each campaign

4. Look Down: Read and Study
___ Know your candidate
___ Know the opposition
___ Know local issues and events

5. Look All Around: What to Know or Whom to Call When:
___ You encounter reporters
___ A voter needs to know where to vote
___ A Voter wants to vote early in person or by absentee ballot
___ A voter talks about possible fraud or abuse of voting rights

6. Keep an Open Feedback Loop
___ Volunteers: report back to headquarters what is (or is not) working
___ Campaigns: discuss volunteer and voter comments
___ Remember: A steady, positive attitude is everything!

As volunteers, we are all ambassadors for our candidates. When voters receive our house calls, will they see erratic negativity or steady idealism? My hope for those wishing to elect President Barack Obama is that we all consider the spirit of today's Obama rally, of our candidate's constant steady leadership, and bring that attitude to each and every house call. Let Barack Obama's admonishment be our mantra - "We don't need that [negativity] - we need you to vote!"

Comments

[Hal Donahue - Huffpost Blogger]

Nicely timed and spot on thank you!

[mayday08]

Senator Obama has done his job. Now it is time to do ours. I have voted early, plus I have taken a picture of my vote, to discourage any funny business from the GOP. Let's see them try to steal the vote when there is visible proof! I know the GOP is planning on stealing this one too, so let's make it hard for them and make it a blowout.

[Matt7]

Excellent observation, Christine. And thanks for the checklist!

[WolfLady]

If they live in a trailer and have a beehive hairdo, RUN! (But be polite about it.)

~WolfLady~

[terragazelle60]

You know its that kind of attitude that makes Democrates appear like "elitists"...I know how it just made me feel..and I have been a Liberal all of my 60 years. I also live in a "trailor", it happens to be a double wide and as big as many homes and it sits on 20 acres with chickens, dogs, cats and horses. It has three bedrooms and two baths with a fireplace in the Great room...but yes it is one of those things that people just love to look down on...but you know what? My home is paid for.
Sorry about the rant, but I and millions of others who are trailor owners are not trash...I do not have "big hair" and I am tired of that comeing from those who are supposed to be holding the door open to the big tent of my party.

[Christine Pelosi - Huffpost Blogger]

Good point ... although we don't know if the commenter was a Democrat or part of the big tent. We Democrats are out working - respectfully - all over the country with the Presidency, over 75 Congressional seats in play, and many other competitive downballot races. (See #2 on the checklist - RESPECT the voters).

[cherlybear]

There's all kinds of reports that electronic voting machines in Florida are changing Obama/Biden votes to McCain/Palin votes right before the voters eyes - this needs to be reported ASAP.

Always request a paper ballot when possible. Obama's money needs to be invested in a legal team to tackle this problem now.

These voting machines and their programming are distributed by republican-leaning companies.

[ElBruce]

Anything in there on how to handle it if the person whose door you're knocking on comes out and beats you up?

[Pogopaws]

That's assault, file a police report.

[ElBruce]

I only mention it because it's already started happening:

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/10/19/local_news/doc48fa891c6397b889391842.txt

[Yola]

This is why you should go as a team. If this happens call 911 and watch the sucker sink!

[Clavis]

The positivity that Barack Obama has awakened in America is bigger than him or even the election. Many of us have never known a political figure who was so inspiring, so intelligent and so principled. For the first time in my life, my vote will NOT be for "the lesser of two evils". I'll be voting FOR someone, this time!

[MPeter]

Nicely done. Thanks Christine. Great advice. These guidelines will definately be helpful.