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democratic farmer labor party, democrats, door-knocking for political candidate, minnesota district 12b, representative al doty
I have never felt passionate about any particular political candidate, certainly not passionate enough to go door-knocking for one of them … until this past Saturday. Representative Al Doty is running for re-election in District 12B in Minnesota and I really, really, really want him to win. He’s been an excellent Representative for the district – intelligent, thoughtful about the issues, continually talking with and listening to constituents, and willing to compromise while also doing what he can for the district.
He’s a DFLer. That’s the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, which is apparently only a Minnesota thing. (Leave it to Minnesotans to do things differently.) The party is affiliated with the national Democratic Party. Even though he’s a DFL candidate, he doesn’t toe some severe party line. Contrary to popular belief, some voters like their politicians to think for themselves rather than follow a strict ideology handed down from on-high.
Erik and I have written a couple of letters in support of Al during this election season and we have one of his signs in our yard. (We had one the last time he was running, too.) While we’re comfortable with letter-writing, we weren’t so sure about door-knocking. We agreed to do a tag-along with a seasoned door-knocker last Saturday.
The group of door-knockers gathered in the parking lot of a local business. We were given instructions on what to say and a brochure to hand out, then we headed to a section of town to get started. We followed C.A., our guide into the world of political door-knocking. She had some tips for us. If a yard had signs for the opposing party, we could skip the house because we knew where the owner’s vote was going to go. It takes a certain commitment to a candidate to put up a yard sign.
Similarly, we could skip the houses that were displaying Al Doty signs. (Although, I suppose we could have stopped if we needed moral support.) Mostly, we were trying to talk to undecided voters and those who didn’t have information (or correct information) about Al.
While the idea of knocking on strangers’ doors was scary, C.A. made it seem easy and we met pleasant people who were receptive to what we had to say. Even if they didn’t seem to support Al, they were polite, which allayed my fears. I’m not sure I could do door-knocking by myself, but as part of a team, it was a great deal of fun.
If you live in District 12B and need more info about Al, check out his website: http://aldoty.com/. His home phone number (his home number!) is listed in case you have any questions about his legislative record, where he stands on issues, or if you need any kind of assistance wherein a legislator might be able to help.
Al is very approachable and wants to hear from the people he represents. In fact, he was one of the door-knockers Saturday. Cool, eh?
I greatly admire you dedicated door knockers. I’ve done literature drops and office work as well co-sponsored fundraisers, donated, and even hosted a fundraiser, but am just too fearful of being confronted by a Bachmann supporter or tea party wingnut to knock on doors. Maybe they’re the ones who have signs in their yards and can thus be avoided. I should think of it as a way to get more exercise while I’m supporting my candidate! Good for you and Eric, and thanks for supporting the DFL.
See, that’s my fear, too, Judy, to have someone violently opposed to not just liberals but moderates. I don’t want an argument. I think it’s a good tip to avoid the houses with yard signs declaring their allegiance to the other party.
Door knocking is scary the first time out. But it gets easier to do each time you do it. I’ve done it for a couple of different candidates out on my own for them … without the benefit of anyone showing me how to do it. I did it while trying to find places to put up signs for them. And not every place where there is a sign is someone who is 100% behind a candidate. Sometimes they just say “sure … go ahead and put a sign up” without thinking about it too much.
Hope you have fun with this! Al is a good guy and a good rep. (I used to do his website until this year)
Joan – C.A. told us she sometimes knocks at doors where there are yard signs for the other party. She’s very spunky. I’d have to build up to that.
Why doesn’t it surprise me that you used to do Al’s website?
This was the first campaign of Al’s that I haven’t done his website. I was bummed to lose him as a client cuz I really like him, but clients do outgrow my services.
If you do ever stop at people’s places where they have up signs for the “opposition”, you can always laugh things off with them by saying something along the line of “it doesn’t hurt to try” or things like that.
I’ve put up signs in the past at places where they simply agree to let you put up a sign but they let you know that if anyone else wants to put up a sign there they will let them do it too. These people know they have got a good location and don’t mind ANYONE putting up a sign. So you never know for sure what the reason is for why there’s a sign there. Most times if they had a sign for the opponent, they would simply let you know they weren’t interested or they were already committed to the opponent. I don’t recall ever getting any real hassles from anyone ever while door knocking. Going into it with a positive pleasant attitude is all that you need. Keep in mind if anyone is rude to you … it’s not YOU they are rejecting. It’s the “party” affilation they are rejecting. Don’t take any of it personally and just have fun meeting all kinds of new people.
Actually … now that I think about it … the worst thing to fear while doorknocking is actually people’s dogs. Some of them can be more spunky than any person ever was. One time while out doorknocking with the candidate I was helping … we ran across a nasty acting dog. But we were determined. I walked between the candidate and the dog so that if it acted up I would be on the receiving end of it instead of her. The dog didn’t try to bite us, but I was happy when we left there. LOL! There was only ever one place where I didn’t get out of the car because of a dog. That one just didn’t respond positively to me in the least. I can usually tell if they are serious or just bluffing … and that one wasn’t bluffing at all.