How to convert Republicans (an audacious plan that's worked!)

INTO THE LION'S DEN

When our Democratic State Senate candidate asked me to go with him to convert Republicans at a Republican fundraiser, I thought, "He's crazy!"

But I tagged along anyhow. Our candidate paid fifteen bucks apiece to get three of us into a party hosted by a GOP candidate for another local race. Did I mention this was in the heart of redneck country -- at a country-western bar right next to the Lakeside Rodeo grounds?

Things seemed grim at first. The ticket-taker told us there was only one other Democrat present. Undaunted, our candidate - a terrific schmoozer -- proceeded to work the room like a seasoned pro. "Hi, I'm running for State Senate and I'm here to get Republicans to vote for me in November," he said to a couple of women at the first table.

They looked at him as if he'd just announced he was from Mars. "You're a--a Democrat?" they gasped.

He ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and got a captive audience. (Folks are friendly in bars after a few rounds!) When we pointed out all that our candidate has actually done to help our community -- including being a former teacher of the year and head of a charitable foundation that raised $100,000 to help wildfire victims rebuild their small businesses, people started paying attention. "I'll vote for you," one woman said timidly. Soon enough, several others said they'd support our candidate, too. After all, we asked, what's the guy in office done for anyone here lately?

"Lots of the people who asked me to run are Republicans," our candidate then informed folks at the next table, and the next. He then proceeded to recite his Republican opponent (an incumbent)'s bad voting record -- 0% on environment, 3% from labor, equally dismal ratings from other groups. We also informed folks that the incumbent gets most of his money from big agricultural growers outside our area, and his sole claim to fame was introducing legislation to open state parks up for hunting!

Three of us worked the room. We learned that most of those Republican voters were small business people concerned about taxes. All they wanted was assurance that we didn't want to raise taxes on their little businesses, and it was easy as pie to peel away those GOP votes!

By the time we'd finished, we'd won over a dozen votes -- close to half the people in the room. It was a great investment (even if we did have to make a nonimal donation to another GOP campaign) since we educated and converted some core Republican voters -- and even passed out invitations to our candidate's future fundraising parties and precinct walks! Our candidate even picked up a business card from a banker who expressed interest in making a generous donation to his campaign.

I hope to see more Democratic candidates try this audacious approach. This is one of the most heavily gerrymandered Republican districts in California -- and the results were no less than amazing!

:rofl:

Wait am I suppose to know all this from where I am at :rofl:

and it is closer to the truth than you think

Way to go liberty

I was referring to a State legislative candidate.

again... it will make you smile.

and your candidate has real cajones!

Congratulations! It also gives me hope about Howard Dean's 50-state strategy.

:kick:

Howard Dean's been dumped on, all over the place, by the James Carvilles and other "Beltway Boy" types. But he's correct. Dare to go into the belly of the beast - in Dean's case such republi-CON strongholds as the deep South. He said there were Democrats down there parched and starving, politically anyway, saying there WAS receptive potential there if somebody would just come down and talk to a few people. Remember how so many of the red states were simply written off? Well, there may be voter gold there that we just never considered trying to mine. Now, fortunately, some of our people finally ARE considering it - and then doing it.

They're sad, depressed, alienated, disappointed, and revolted by what they're seeing happen to the party they once loved. They feel rejected and betrayed by their own. They are ripe for the picking.

We visited homes of prominent people in our community -- ie, potential heavy hitters. Wherever we found supporters, we handed them invitations to fundraising events -- & asked if they had any neighbors, Democrats OR Republicans, who might support our candidate.

Once again, we found quite a few Republicans who liked our candidate and said they'd support him! Of course, having a neighbor's recommendation helped, but so did seeing someone with the sheer jutzpah to ask someone from another party for their vote.

At this rate, by November our wretched GOP office-holder isn't going to know what hit him. ;-)

For the record, I'll tell you just how bad Dennis Hollinsgworth (or as we call him, Hollingsworthless) the incumbent Republican is. The guy has a lifetime "Zero" rating on the environment and says he's proud of it. He has a 3% rating from labor. He once said he feels called by God to rid the world of the "disease" of homosexuality, or words to that effect. He's carried legislation to open state parks up to hunting and has a "zero" rating from PAWS, an animal rights group.

Interesting side note: our candidate is finding instant support among pet owners merely by mentioning his opponent's "zero" rating from PAWS. We're considering a whole new campaign strategy -- including visits to dog shows, pet groomers, veterinarians, dog parks, dog beach, etc. ;-)

This is really turning out to be fun!


:patriot: