Reply #16: If you can't think of anything, don't do it.

[MineralMan]

Here's what I do when I'm precinct walking:

1. Educate myself about the candidates' positions on as many issues as possible.
2. Ask each person I talk to what issues are the most important to them.
3. Explain how the Republican and Democratic candidates in that election treat those issues.
4. Explain why it's very important to turn out and vote for the Democrats in that election.

In 2010, for example, what President Obama believed about an issue was irrelevant to that election. I talked about the candidates the people in my precinct would be voting for or against. I keep my conversations specific and on the issue that each person considers to be important to them. The goal is to get them to the polls and to vote for the Democrat who is running. In every case, the Democrat has a better position than the Republican. The other candidates are irrelevant, since they will not be elected.

Very frankly, general discussions when talking to people are irrelevant. It is specific issues and the positions of the actual candidates the voter will be voting on that matter. Almost ever time, the person I talk to has a specific issue that is relevant to that person. I come prepared with knowledge of the positions of the candidates. It's very, very effective.

Results? In my precinct, where I walked every block over a two-month period, I talked to a few hundred people, at least. I don't keep count. Our precinct, in 2010, had a 60% turnout. Every Democratic candidate on the ballot in my precinct received roughly 60% of the vote.

Obama was not a candidate. He will be a candidate in 2012. I'll tell people his positions in that election, on any issue they want to raise. I'll also tell them the positions of every other candidate. This is not about generalities. It is about individual voters and the individual issues they think are important. It's hard work, to be quite frank, but every person who walks precincts and is fully prepared to answer questions makes more difference in the election that any dozen people who don't bother.

You may do as you please. I'm just telling you what I do and how it works.

You can visit my precinct's DFL website, where I'm the chair, at the link in my signature line, if you wish.