When I answered the phone this afternoon, a genial voice asked for my husband. I inquired who was calling, and was told it was a call from the Democrats. So, I went down to my husband’s office and told him he had a phone call, and went back to my own office.
Pretty soon my hubby came up and asked if I wanted to support Al Franken. Well, sure, I probably do. So Hubby, knowing my predilections for supporting Dems, indicated that I should take the call.
As you may know, Al Franken is running for the U.S. senate in Minnesota.
Getting on the phone, I said, "So you’re supporting Al Franken?"
Answer: "We’re raising money to pay for Al Franken’s campaign. Can we ask you to contribute an amount up to $100?"
Hmm, I think, that sounds a bit scripted. So I say, "So you are not supporting Al Franken?? That sounded a bit scripted"
"Well, we need to follow a format. That’s the way politics work these days."
So I answer, "Um, no, I don’t think Obama follows a script all the time." Then I ask, "So is this for his primary campaign, or the general election?"
The guy isn’t sure, so I ask, "Well when is the Minnesota primary?" (trick question, see below)
He isn’t sure. He stumbles around on a list for a bit, reading off "uh, Maryland, . .umm . Nebraska . . . ah . .Wiscon--"
I interrupt to say, "Wisconsin and Hawaii are tomorrow."
"—ah, I guess Minnesota was Feb 5."
At this point, I decided enough was enough. "Look, I’m interested in supporting Dems for Congress, but I think I can go online and make my contributions." And I suggested that maybe he figure out some of these things before hand, because it’s information worth knowing.
Now, the call showed up on our caller ID with no number or name. So it’s possible it was phone "phishing" (a fraudulent call to get credit card #). This possibility is a bit worrisome, which is why I’m raising it as a cautionary tale.
It’s possible it was a legitimate fundraiser hired by Franken’s campaign. That seemed a bit odd to me, since I would bet that’s not the cheapest way to raise money. I thought such campaigns hired on their own people, or used volunteers who would actually be people who support the candidate.
So, Al Franken, if you’ve hired this group, you may not be getting your money’s worth. You should at least make sure your fund-raisers have your general BASIC campaign information in hand.
And to all the rest of you who volunteer for local candidates, national ones, or just for the Dems as a party, be sure you have the "who-what-when-where & why" down before you start. I also think sounding too scripted is a bit of a drawback on several levels of election politics.
Oh, about those trick questions: even though the Minnesota presidential caucus was Feb. 5, the primary election is Sept 9, 2008. Running against Franken for the Democratic nomination are Mike Ciresi, a trial lawyer, and two activists: Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, a professor and writer and Jim Cohen, a lawyer. The incumbent is republican Norm Coleman, who replaced Paul Wellstone.
For those who want to get out the Credit Card now, here's the place.