PC Tip Sheet #5, February 2002   

If this is the first time you have ever walked, skip Independents and always skip the Republicans. Some campaigns may target Rs, but for right now, your job is to help keep registered Democrats voting Democrats.

Here's what we need you to do when you walk up to a Democrat's door. In one or two minutes, introduce yourself, ask 1 poll question, and tell them when the next Democrat District meeting is and where. Keep your visit short. If they want to talk longer, it's their choice. Never force them to talk with you more than 5 minutes. Here's a possible script you can follow:

"Hi I'm _____________ and I'm the Democratic Precinct Committeeperson for our neighborhood. I live over on (street name).

First, I wanted to say hi to a fellow Democrat! Besides introducing myself, if you have a moment I'd like to ask you just 1 quick question for a poll we are conducting.

What issue do you consider most important for the upcoming 2002 election? (If they aren't sure how to respond, prompt them with possible answer such as education, health care, national security, etc.)

(After they give an answer) Other Democrats certainly agree with you; it's an important issue. I'll be sure to let others in the party know what you think is most important. And thanks for helping us in our issue canvassing for this year's elections.

Thanks again for your time. I also wanted to let you know that our District holds monthly Democrat meetings that are free and you're invited to attend. The next meeting is (date and time). (If possible, create a postcard or other small note with meeting details: date, time, location, topic/guest, and contact number - yours, preferably - for additional information.)

Have a good day, and if I can ever be of help, please let me know."

The reason to use your number as the contact number is so that they can find you again if, indeed, they want help contacting a candidate, finding out about another meeting or event, etc.

Note: It is very important to write down what issue they said next to their name on your walk sheet so that you can use this information later in letters and calls. This is also very important information for Democratic candidates.

If the person at the door wishes to have a conversation about issues, let them choose the issue and remember: NEVER try to convince someone that you are right and they are wrong on an issue. Instead, agree with their views, even if you find them too conservative or too liberal. Remember, they are already willing to vote for a Democrat, so don't upset them!

If you do get into a conversation, look for clues on where they stand on different issues. For example, if there are children's toys in the yard, they probably have kids in school and care about education. If they are elderly, they might care about Social Security or health care issues. If they have a bumper sticker on their car making a political statement, then make sure you don't say something that disagrees with the bumper sticker. If they care enough to put it on their car, then they really feel strongly on that issue. Remember, the conversation is to make them feel good, not you!

Most of all, have fun. It's your neighbors you're talking to, not strangers! It'll feel good driving or walking by your neighbor's house knowing they are a Democrat and it'll feel even better days and weeks later when the neighbor sees and recognizes you waving hello.

The Teacher Learns a Lesson

In PC training and in this Tip Sheet, we talk about helping to raise money for your District, which will allow the District to get the Democratic message out to many more voters and potential activists. Recently, District 8, along with help from D24 and D26, held a fundraiser. Ron Owen, whose name appears below on all these Tip Sheets, suggested asking for event sponsors or special supporters, each willing to pay $100 or $150 to help with the event and other District projects. As the Chair of D8, I thought my vice-chair's idea was good, but I wondered whether we'd get any takers. Then again, I've been wrong before, so why in the world should I argue against the request. After all, what's the worst that could happen? No one would send us the extra money - no loss, no gain.

Well, Ron's idea brought in a total of $600 from 5 different people. At least I wasn't stupid enough to tell Ron the idea would never work. So, one of the PC trainers is gently reminded of a basic lesson in fundraising: If you don't ask, you'll never get it! And the corollary: So ask, for heaven's sake! You may be surprised to find there are people very willing to donate money to help Democrats.

Rick McGuire

In a speech he intended to deliver to the Texas Democratic Party on November 22, 1963, Pres. John F. Kennedy wrote:

"The Democratic Party is not a collection of diverse interests brought together only to win elections. We are united instead by a common history and heritage - by a respect for the deeds of the past and a recognition of the needs of the future. Never satisfied with today, we have always staked our fortunes on tomorrow."

The PC Tip Sheet is produced by Rick McGuire Joshua Weiss and Ron Owen.