Knock Knock. (Blog for Democracy)

Knock Knock.

Key to "grassroots".

Every day, it seems, there is a new grassroots strategy or movement building theory. Organize your canvassers this way. Record your data that way. It sure does seem like we spend an awful lot of time talking, reading, and writing about how, why, and when to do it.

Isn't it really all about the doorbell?

"Knock knock"
"Who's there?"
"Catherine, your neighbor. I just wanted to take a moment of your time. Are you happy with the direction of our country? No? Would you like to join me at the next breakfast (happy hour, tea party, picnic) of your local Democratic Party? We're working for change from your local community on up to Washington DC."

It's all well and good to record data; target voters; and have a strategy. But, ultimately, we have to ring the doorbells.

Posted by Catherine on July 26, 2007 8:21 AM | Permalink

Comments (10)

Buffy

I could not agree with you more Catherine. The problem is getting people to actually canvass the neighborhoods. Grassroots does not mean a thing if we can't people to actually get there and do what everyone talks about.
The second part of that is trying to get the person whose door who have knocked to really care about why you are there standing in front of them. Out of the many times I have gone out and canvassed I would think to myself does person really understand why I'm standing here and do they really care. The thing is canvassing is the most effective way of reaching voting public.

Posted by Buffy | July 26, 2007 8:53 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 08:53

indie_rock_elitist

whose there?

Posted by indie_rock_elitist | July 26, 2007 9:18 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 09:18

Mouth of the South

there are a lot of ways to ring a doorbell. there is the double time this is important way, the slow, hold, first ding, and then release, second ding, yoga strategy. there is the ding and knock, seriously, we need a retreat to discuss all this. there is no way i can ring a doorbell without at least one trust fall.

Posted by Mouth of the South | July 26, 2007 10:16 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 10:16

CatherineAtlanta

With special break out sessions on door knockers and garden gates.

Oh, and the special bonus session: The Long Driveway: to go or not to go?

Posted by CatherineAtlanta | July 26, 2007 10:23 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 10:23

Mouth of the South

additionally catherine, i think it's so weird to use your real name when canvassing. you should use your club name.

Posted by Mouth of the South | July 26, 2007 10:25 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 10:25

Jules

Cobb county district captains have been pounding the pavement on and off all summer. No one is better at this than Mike H. he does it with enthusiasm and a likeable spirit. General responses have been really good.

Paid or volunteer, the message has to come across sincere and authentic.

I'm happy to see the efforts and I'm liking the difference between this cycle and previous when it was pretty much "you" need to come to "us".

It's no small effort to be able to conduct this kind of activity. Everyone who is responsible for getting this going, my hat is off to you.

Posted by Jules | July 26, 2007 10:29 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 10:29

Jules

MOS.. Catherine has more than a club name, she has a gang sign too.

Posted by Jules | July 26, 2007 10:34 AM

Posted on July 26, 2007 10:34

CatherineAtlanta

tis' true.

Posted by CatherineAtlanta | July 26, 2007 10:37 AM