"Who is it?" asks someone from inside. That's not an uncommon reaction

[struggle4progress]

in some of the neighborhoods I've walked

Sometimes I knock, and the person inside wordlessly checks that the door is securely locked, and after a while I slide my lit under the mat and go my way

But a number of folk routinely ask who's there before opening. I always tell them who I am and who I'm looking for -- and that often opens the door

Here, now, this door flies open almost before I am done speaking. The man standing there beams radiantly at me, as if I were his beloved brother, long ago vanished overseas into parts unknown, gone these many years but unforgotten, hoped for but feared dead, now reappearing unexpectedly, and not a mere ghost, on what would otherwise have been an entirely ordinary day

I'm not looking for him. I say again who I am and name the woman I'm looking for

She's here, he says, gesturing expansively. The woman greets me from her sofa. Please come in, he says. I'm thinking I might be invited to stay for dinner

Handing him the small bundle of campaign material, I take a half step into the living room and explain the importance of the election. They know. They'll vote

As I'm leaving, he thanks me effusively again and again

[Kaleva]

1. Great story! Rec'd.

[pinboy3niner]

2. Are you ever tempted to answer...

..."Dave's not here"? :)

Nice to hear anecdotes about your being welcomed enthusiastically as an ally.

K&R :thumbsup:

[DiverDave]

6. "No, Man, I'M Dave"

Ah, the memories...God, was it really 40 years ago?

[Luminous Animal]

3. It feels great when people thank you!

I'm volunteering for a local supervisor candidates campaign and walk the precinct on Saturday's & Sundays, and make phone calls on Wednesday & Thursday evenings. About 1 in 10 (when I make actual human contact), thank me for doing what I am doing.

And... I thank you for doing what you do!

[struggle4progress]

4. The phone calls are really hard work. I'd much rather walk myself.

I remember one particularly bad phone-calling evening some years back, getting close to election day, when people were so sick of their phones ringing that most of them just shouted at me when they picked up

[Luminous Animal]

5. I know. It gets worse the closer to the election.

I live in San Francisco and we were making phone calls during the World Series game BUT we waited until the commercials. It was a great sight to see us all poised at the phones ready to dial the moment the camera panned off the players to the wide shot of the field. We'd start our spiel, "Hi, I'm calling for Rafael Mandelman, candidate for District 8, and we're all watching the game here at the campaign office and making calls during the commercials! GO GIANTS!

The past two nights have actually been the best phone call nights in weeks. Most people laughed and thanked us for not bothering them during play. Of course it helps that San Franciscans are totally happy off their asses.

[struggle4progress]

7. Now there's a gambit that would never have crossed my mind

:thumbsup: