Tell us your PERSONAL experiences with the campaigns!!!

[Irishgrrrl]

I thought this would be an interesting thread. Please state:

1. How you are registered (Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc.);

2. Which state you live in;

3. Which campaign has contacted you personally;

4. How you were contacted;

5. Approximately when you were contacted; and

6. Did the campaign''s efforts make a difference in how you''re planning to vote?

 

[Irishgrrrl]

OK, answering my own questions . . .

1. I''m registered Independent.

2. I live in Pennsylvania.

3. I have been contacted by both campaigns.

4. From McCain''s campaign, I have received two letters in the mail, one from McCain and one from Palin. Both letters thanked me for my vote (as if it''s a foregone conclusion that I''m voting for them on November 4!) and asked for a financial contribution. Also, I received a ROBOCALL from McCain''s campaign! From Obama''s campaign, I have only received one phone call, and that was from a real live person.

5. The two letters and the robocall from McCain were all received within the past six weeks or so. (McCain''s letter came first, then Palin''s letter a couple weeks later, and I just got the robocall last week.) The phone call from Obama''s campaign came way back during the primaries.

6. By the time I was contacted by McCain''s campaign, I had already decided to vote for Obama. When Obama''s campaign contacted me, I had pretty much decided to vote for whoever won the Democratic nomination. But I was impressed with the lady from Obama''s campaign . . . she was very polite and knowledgeable. I think, of all the techniques, the live person phone call is probably the most effective (at least for me).

 

[FrekeChild]

1. Democrat

2. New Mexico

3. Both campaigns have contacted me.

4. On my parent''s home phone with Republicans and Democrats, and we''ve had about 3 Dem volunteers come to the door with pamphlets, and we''ve gotten TONS of Democrat mailings. Not to mention being approached on campus...

5. Starting in....August with a lot of phone calls. Apparently I''m on the hot list for wanting to know how I''m going to vote. It''s gotten to the point where when someone calls asking for me, my mom says, "She''s a registered Democrat, and she''s voting/voted for Barack Obama." And apparently she gets lots of "Thanks, that''s all I needed."

6. No. I''ve been an Obama fan since he announced his run for the presidency. I actually wish the Democrats (including New Mexican politicians) had saved their mailings and therefore campaign dollars for someone else who might be swayed by them.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/27/2008 11:52:13 AM
Author: FrekeChild
1. Democrat

2. New Mexico

3. Both campaigns have contacted me.

4. On my parent''s home phone with Republicans and Democrats, and we''ve had about 3 Dem volunteers come to the door with pamphlets, and we''ve gotten TONS of Democrat mailings. Not to mention being approached on campus...

5. Starting in....August with a lot of phone calls. Apparently I''m on the hot list for wanting to know how I''m going to vote. It''s gotten to the point where when someone calls asking for me, my mom says, ''She''s a registered Democrat, and she''s voting/voted for Barack Obama.'' And apparently she gets lots of ''Thanks, that''s all I needed.''

6. No. I''ve been an Obama fan since he announced his run for the presidency. I actually wish the Democrats (including New Mexican politicians) had saved their mailings and therefore campaign dollars for someone else who might be swayed by them.

Freke, this is why I''m GLAD that I haven''t been contacted by Obama''s campaign since that initial phone call during the primaries. I''d rather see them spend the time and money on someone who NEEDS to hear from them! When they called me over the summer, I told the lady that I was not a registered Democrat, and therefore would not be able to vote in the primaries. I also told her that, in the general election, I would most likely vote for whoever the Dem nominee was. I think maybe that''s why Obama''s campaign hasn''t contacted me since . . . they figure they''ve already got me! LOL! I''m surprised that Obama''s people kept contacting you after you told them that you''re already "on their side."

 

[E B]

1. Registered Democrat (Husband is registered Independent)

2. Oregon

3. Obama

4. Phone

5. Three or four phone calls from Obama in total; two volunteers called us just yesterday! They were calling on behalf of both Obama and Merkley (the Dem. candidate for U.S. Senate). Nothing from the McCain campaign that I know of, but I'm in an incredibly 'blue' city in a blue state.

6. Not really, but I'm glad to see they're out there, working hard!

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/27/2008 12:02:32 PM
Author: EBree
1. Registered Democrat (Husband is registered Independent)

2. Oregon

3. Obama

4. Phone

5. Three or four phone calls from Obama in total; two volunteers called us just yesterday! They were calling on behalf of both Obama and Merkley (the Dem. candidate for U.S. Senate). Nothing from the McCain campaign that I know of, but I''m in an incredibly ''blue'' city in a blue state.

6. Not really, but I''m glad to see they''re out there, working hard!

Oh, Bree, you''re lucky! The robocall I got from McCain was really annoying. It was pretty late at night (like around 9:00) which surprised me! It made some very negative statements about Obama, and I was disappointed that it wasn''t a live human being. I would have loved the opportunity to actually TALK to someone! At the end of the robocall, they gave a number you could call to get your name removed from their call list. Of course, they said it REALLY FAST!!! Fortunately, I was able to memorize it and call it real quick before I forgot the number . . . so hopefully they won''t be robocalling me again! LOL!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

1) Democrat
2) Washington State
3) Republican
4) By phone - a poll
5) Months back - probably at least six
6) The efforts did absolutely nothing to change my vote. In fact, the phone poll irritated the h*ll out of me because most of the questions twisted all the information around and made next to no sense. The only clear question I remember was one about would I still vote for McCain after finding out about his adopted daughter! I mean, how could the republicans get away with asking a question like that?

Oh, and I want to mention, that Dh and I were involved in the Caucus and I still never received any democratic mailings. . .I wonder why???

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 10/27/2008 12:01:14 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
Freke, this is why I''m GLAD that I haven''t been contacted by Obama''s campaign since that initial phone call during the primaries. I''d rather see them spend the time and money on someone who NEEDS to hear from them! When they called me over the summer, I told the lady that I was not a registered Democrat, and therefore would not be able to vote in the primaries. I also told her that, in the general election, I would most likely vote for whoever the Dem nominee was. I think maybe that''s why Obama''s campaign hasn''t contacted me since . . . they figure they''ve already got me! LOL! I''m surprised that Obama''s people kept contacting you after you told them that you''re already ''on their side.''

Well I know my mom doesn''t ask who they are when they call--but many of the callers have been McCain people, and many of the others have been pollsters. I think Obama''s camp called in August, but who knows if they''ve called since. I''ve been kind of tempted to put a sign up on our front door that says, "Both people that live here are voting for Obama" so that volunteers stop knocking on the door and leaving us those fancy pamphlets!

Really I think they''ve been calling so much because most of them are polling me. I''ve been registered since 2000, and I didn''t really know anyone else my age who was a registered voter until this year--SO MANY of my friends have registered this year. One of them is someone I tried to get to register 4 years ago. He''s been kicking himself for the past 4 years, so he registered finally. Mostly so he could vote against Palin. But I think it''s fantastic how many young people I''ve seen registering.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/27/2008 12:25:17 PM
Author: FrekeChild

Well I know my mom doesn''t ask who they are when they call--but many of the callers have been McCain people, and many of the others have been pollsters. I think Obama''s camp called in August, but who knows if they''ve called since. I''ve been kind of tempted to put a sign up on our front door that says, ''Both people that live here are voting for Obama'' so that volunteers stop knocking on the door and leaving us those fancy pamphlets!

Really I think they''ve been calling so much because most of them are polling me. I''ve been registered since 2000, and I didn''t really know anyone else my age who was a registered voter until this year--SO MANY of my friends have registered this year. One of them is someone I tried to get to register 4 years ago. He''s been kicking himself for the past 4 years, so he registered finally. Mostly so he could vote against Palin. But I think it''s fantastic how many young people I''ve seen registering.

Oh, I forgot to mention . . . I have been polled too. Twice.

The first time, I have NO idea who was conducting the poll, because the girl talked SO fast I could barely understand what she was asking me! LOL! She only wanted to know if I was planning to vote on November 4 . . . she didn''t care who I was voting for, just whether or not I was voting. Of course, I told her "yes" and that was basically the end of the call.

In the second poll, the guy asked me if I was planning on voting. I said "yes." He then asked who I would vote for if the election were held tomorrow. I said "Obama." Then, he thanked me for my time, and said that he was calling from the Democratic National Committee. I said, "Yay! Then I gave the right answer!" LOL! He laughed and said that he was calling on behalf of the Democratic National Committee only, and not on behalf of Obama''s campaign.

Freke, I think it''s great that your Mom has a stock reply that she gives when they call!

 

[princesss]

1. I''m a registered Independent.

2. North Carolina

3 & 4. Obama''s campaign talked to me, McCain''s left a leaflet on my door.

5. Let''s see...I think Obama''s group talked to me a week or two ago, making sure I knew where I was supposed to go to vote and see if I wanted information on early voting. McCain''s group left a leaflet on my doorknob about 4 days ago. After I voted.

6. I was very convinced that I would be voting for Obama, but I really would have been interested in talking to the McCain volunteers and seeing what they had to say. I''ve researched the policies, but there were a few things that would have been good to have clarified. But by the time anybody stopped by, it was too late. I''d already cast my ballot.

 

[dragonfly411]

1. registered Independent

2. Florida

3. The Obama campaign keeps calling and calling and calling

4. phone

5. they still call

6.Nope. I know who I''m voting for and I''m tired of the phone ringing already

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/27/2008 2:10:42 PM
Author: dragonfly411
1. registered Independent

2. Florida

3. The Obama campaign keeps calling and calling and calling

4. phone

5. they still call

6.Nope. I know who I''m voting for and I''m tired of the phone ringing already

Dragonfly, I guess you''re getting all those calls because you''re an Independent. I feel so left out! I thought that, since I''m a registered Independent too and since I live in a battleground state (PA), I would get a lot of phone calls. But I only got that one live person call from Obama''s campaign, and the robocall from McCain.

Oh, well! My heart isn''t breaking! LOL!

 

[surfgirl]

I just posted my experiences with this campaign on the new Democrat thread...

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/27/2008 2:24:18 PM
Author: surfgirl
I just posted my experiences with this campaign on the new Democrat thread...

Where have you been girl! We missed you!

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/27/2008 2:26:56 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 10/27/2008 2:24:18 PM
Author: surfgirl
I just posted my experiences with this campaign on the new Democrat thread...

Where have you been girl! We missed you!

She''s been busy campaigning her butt off for Obama! YAY, SURFGIRL!!!

 

[surfgirl]

dragonfly, if you get another call, just tell them to please mark you as "refused" to get you off the call lists. If you''re telling them you aren''t decided, then you''re probably either still on the list because people are trying to see if you want/need more info to make a decision, or there''s simply a little glitch or someone recorded your info incorrectly. But if you ask them to mark you as "refused" you should be removed from all call lists. Hope that helps.

Irish, if you live in PA, please please please volunteer..You have a great amount of knowledge that you could put to better use by explaining in your own words to an Undecided PA voter, why YOU are voting for Obama. Nothing is more meaningful that hearing why you are voting. Get off the internet missy, and get to volunteering, you''re lucky to be in a swing state, that''s so exciting! Oh, and the reason you might not be called much is that you already told them you were supporting Obama. It''s nothing personal, I swear...

 

[swimmer]

1. Democrat

2. Which state you live in: Massachusetts

3. Which campaign has contacted you personally: Obama

4. How you were contacted: Email after I donated money 2 yrs ago

5. Approximately when you were contacted: Lately every hour or so by email only.

6. Did the campaign's efforts make a difference in how you're planning to vote?

No, but they have me fired up! In phonebanking with for Obama 3-4 nights a week I've convinced about 30 people to vote for Obama in NH (about one person for every night of calling), solicited almost $10,000 for the campaign almost all in 30$ or smaller donations, and arranged for the pickup of over 100 elderly voters. My DH volunteers with me doing the data entry for the bunch of us who volunteer at an empty law firm; he has a poster going to keep the callers competitive so that is how I know my score for NH. He is not a phone person, but I've loved chatting with nice people in CO, NM, and ND as well. Sometimes people don't want to talk with you about their politics, but sometimes they really do and want to know what is going on. The best is arranging transportation for the elderly. DH is driving folks all day to vote on election day, and I'm a pollworker who will make calls after our polls close here on the east coast.
Heading off to make calls now! You can do the same! www.moveon.org or mybarakobama.com Sufgirl Rocks!

 

[Irishgrrrl]

OK, guys, as I mentioned previously, I received a robocall from McCain. I then called the number they gave at the end of the robocall to have my name removed from their call list. This was about two weeks ago. Well, last night, I GOT ANOTHER ROBOCALL FROM MCCAIN!!!

DH answered the phone, and he said it was a recorded message from the RNC, asking me to vote for McCain. WHY am I still getting robocalls from them after I''ve asked to be removed from their call list?!?! Is he really that desperate for votes???