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Repeat after me: The majority of Arizonans are
NOT Republicans. Now, repeat 5 times; I'll wait.
Registered Republicans may hold a 5 percentage
point lead in voter registration, but the fact is only 42% of
Arizonans are registered to vote! According to November 2001
figures from the Secretary of State's office, Republicans
comprise a grand total of 18% of the state population. So, if
you walk up to any given Arizonan, the odds are 4 to 1 you are
NOT talking to a registered Republican. We need to stop being
embarrassed about making Democrat-sounding comments in front
of others!
Some Democrats keep their party affiliation
hidden when a discussion of important issues begins at a
gathering or party. We are afraid to let others know we are
Democrats in fear that we're the only one. The easiest way to
overcome this social phobia is to piggy-back on the comments
of someone else.
If someone makes a comment that can be
construed as anti-Republican or pro-Democrat, agree with them.
By agreeing verbally, you're helping promote Democratic issues
to others in attendance. It also encourages others of like
mind to publicly agree, letting you see there are others who
share our Dem point of view.
It's okay to make a joke: "Finally,
someone else who doesn't believe everything Republicans
say!" or "You mean I'm not the only Democrat
here?!?" Openly admitting you're a Democrat isn't like
admitting some horrible personal fault! By acknowledging your
political preference, you remind people that yes, there really
ARE a bunch of Democrats in this state (813,414 at last
count). Be bold: Invite them to a Dem event so they can see
for themselves.
Finally, if someone openly says during a
discussion that they're a Democrat, admit you're one, too. You
wouldn't want to be left out in the cold, so don't leave
others out there feeling alone, either.
We asked you to report back on your use of the
PC Tip Sheet. We heard from Lola Boan, who writes: "I am
walking to the homes in my area, getting signatures for our
Dem candidates and encouraging them to come to our Sun City
Democratic meetings. So far, three new members."
That's great, Lola! Some of you may wonder
about "all that work and only 3 new members?" You're
looking at this all wrong. About 150 people receive this PC
tip sheet across the state. If every one of us activated 3
Dems, that's 450 new activists! That's Political Capitalism.
Recently, one of our most experienced activists complained
when she wasn't sure that her postcard mailing to a District
meeting had a high enough "response rate." Well,
first, the postcards she and others mailed turned out 29 new
people to a District meeting. Second, and most importantly, we
accomplish a lot whether people respond immediately to our
mailings or not.
We want activists and new contributors. Our District
records suggest that our newest members/activists are clearly
among our most enthusiastic and GENEROUS members, so 29
newcomers really is terrific. Also, to view postcards strictly
from a point of who shows up is shortsighted. The cards are
largely to demonstrate that Dems are active, committed, and
vital. I still hear people who are shocked to find evidence of
an active Democratic Party in Arizona. Unfair? Of course, but
until we start showing our stuff more and getting voter
attention (in marketing it's called name recognition and
branding), we will face such preposterous attitudes from
people who are not activists. Every time you make a Dem
contact, it emphasizes that we're here, we're active, and
we're involved; come join us.
And for helping spread that word: THANK YOU!
The PC Tip Sheet is produced by
Rick McGuire Joshua Weiss and Ron Owen
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