Voters are disgusted
I heard this over and over again. I suspect that this came more frequently from people who normally vote Republican although it is hard to tell because the canvassing forms show these people as non-affiliated. Many people said they didn't want to vote for either party, they are not voting at all or that they are writing in their own name. Now that kind of bothers me because if you don't vote, your crazy nighbor might do it and send another crazy to Congress. We need a snappy comeback for these people. I'm thinking along the lines of, "So, would you be willing to run next time? 'Cos we could sure use your help."
Iraq and Taxes, Taxes and Iraq
The two major issues that get mentioned most often are Iraq and taxes. The tax issue gets brought up by people who read the Star Ledger. One voter said she was worried about the inheritance tax because of an article she read in the Star Ledger. Then, I pointed out to her that that only affects people at the very top income brackets and her heirs would probably not have to pay it. She had an, "Oh! Really?" moment. Disinformation on the tax issue is very potent stuff here because taxes are so incredibly, stupidly high but this is how the wealthy of NJ perpetuate the ridiculous taxing mechanism here by scaring the average voter about things like the inheritance tax.
Yes, I keep saying taxes are THE thing in NJ but no one listens. -sigh-
The other thing that is on people's minds is Iraq. The war is extremely unpopular for obvious reasons. But for those candidates who haven't made the connection yet, let me spell it out one more time for good measure: Tie the vast amounts of money that get wasted in Iraq to the taxes that New Jerseyans send to Washington WITH NO CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MIKE FERGUSON and you will have a killer campaign ad. Money, baby, that is at the heart of every NJ voter. The tax situation is out of control. Point to Mike Ferguson and say loudly, "He voted to give Halliburton YOUR money in Iraq and the CPA lost 10 billion dollars of it. Whaddaya' going to do about it?"
Stender is a virtual unknown
This could work for or against her depending on how she handles it. Most voters do not know Linda. The flyers that clog the mailbox from each side are really starting to backfire. I suspect that people want an alternative to Mike but Linda has just not been visible enough to them. If Linda could make more personal appearances at local fairs, Oktoberfest celebrations or even the local Shop Rite, that would go a long way to raising her visibility. I am absolutely sure that they will like what they see.
Robocalls are a definite no-no.
More flyers are likely to make the situation worse.
Here's an idea: if you want to attract more female voters (Linda would be an excellent representative on their behalf), do what the Teamsters did at YearlyKos. Hand out flashdrives with a presentation on them of what Linda stands for. Hand them out at the Malls or outside of the grocery store. The Teamsters handed out 64 mb drives but even a 16 mb flash drive on your keychain comes in handy for those emergency last minute things.
Oktoberfest
Ok, guys, I think we should meet. Also, I don't much care for canvassing by myself. So, here's my proposal: if you want to canvass with a Kossack, meet me at 10am next Saturday morning at Stender's Somerville Office at 58 N. Bridge Street in Somerville. When we knock off at 5:00pm, we can either go to Mannion's for some post canvassing analysis and Guiness or to my house for brats, potluck and beer (bring your own pot, er, hot dish). Do I have any takers?
Do you have any good canvassing tales?
Any bad ones? |
