First, I'd like to begin this diary by encouraging all fellow Obama supporters to phone bank in Texas to get all our county convention delegates out this Saturday. I hate to sound corny, but it is actually a lot of fun. People are generally very receptive and happy to hear from others who share their political views. And after most calls I hang up feeling great.
Having said that, there were two calls that I found...um.....interesting. I'm relating them in a very truncated transcript form:
- Clearly an elderly man:
Me: Hi Calling from the Texas Democrats
Old guy: Hi
Me: you're a delegate right?
OG: Right. And there's a convention this Saturday
Me: That's right. Mind if I ask whom you're supporting?
OG: the Democrat
Me: Riiiiight. OK, will you be supporting Senator Clinton or Obama
OG: I'll support whoever they tell me to support.
Me: (Worried about the future of the world now) Um sir...did you vote for Clinton or Obama?
OG: Obama.
Me: OK, when you go to the convention make certain to support Senator Obama, since that's who you voted for.
Me: [Hanging the phone up and biting my fist in clear frustration and disbelief]
That one was a shock to me. If you need an illustrated example for why this phone banking exercise is so important, reread that conversation. This guy could have just walked into the convention, and then happened to have run across a Hillary staffer, and asked quite innocently whom he should support. Where would this Obama supporter have ended up? Think about it.
OK, here's the second anecdote:
- A good ol' Boy (i.e., thick southern/Texan accent)
Me: Hi Calling from the Texas Democrats
Texas Guy: Hi
Me: you're a delegate right?
TG: Right.
Me: Mind if I ask who you're supporting
TG: Well, who are you supporting?
Me: [Suddenly shocked by caller not following the script, fumbling around for words, finally decide to make a joke] That's not how the game is played sir. You're supposed to tell me who YOU'RE supporting [cringing inwardly after hearing how that sounded]
TG: [Gets ripping pissed and starts going off on me. tirade includd the following words]...I'm getting tired of you Democrats! I'm tired of Hillary; I'm tired of Obama. I'm pissed off at some of the things she said, and I'm pissed off at soe of the things he didn't say. McCain is looking better and better every day.
Me: [Somewhere in this tirade, I just decided there was no more point in prolonging this discussion] Thank you for your time sir [Click.]
First, this was a lesson for me. When he asked whom I support, I should have just told him Obama. The script makes it seem as though the callers should believe you are calling as an unaffiliated Democrat, and that's why I hesitated and tried to get cute. That was a mistake, and it rightly pissed this guy off.
Second, it made me think. This guy was selected to be a county delegate - a party leader of sorts. And now he's seriously considering McCain. This is a bad thing. A bad, bad, bad thing. But beyond this, I never did find out whom he voted for. And this leads me to wonder something else. Is it possible that some of those who caucused for Hillary were Limbaugh mischief makers? If so, were some of them chosen to be delegates or alternates? And if so, does anyone believe that they will show up at the convention on Saturday? Just some thoughts.
[Update: and by the way, I only made 30 calls last night, and only 1/3 ofthem actually picked up. That means 20% of my answered calls were made to selected delegates who may not have voted shown up at the convention. Call people, call!!!!]