I started phone-banking last week, and I've been doing a couple of hours a day since then. Today I called a bunch of voters in Pennsylvania, and had long conversations with five undecided voters.
It was really illuminating. A lot of what I've been reading on this board is supported by my observations, but a lot ISN'T.
First of all, all of the undecided voters I talked to like Palin. They like her a lot more than they like McCain. They are compelled by her energy and her looks and her demeanor. A couple were pro-life, and McCain's selection of Palin had turned them from "leaning Obama" to "undecided."
BUT, by far the MOST important issue for all of them is the economy. These people are disgusted by oil company profits, disgusted by high gas prices, disgusted that relatives of theirs are losing their jobs and unable to find new ones. They KNOW that the system is unfair, that corporations are bleeding this country dry while they are suffering.
When I spoke to them about Obama's tax plan (the elimination of income tax for many seniors, the tax breaks for middle-class people and the increase for corporations and the rich) - EVERY UNDECIDED VOTER I TALKED TO WENT FROM UNDECIDED TO LEANING OBAMA.
I can't say it strongly enough: from my non-scientific sample, attacking Palin will get us exactly 0 votes. Getting the word out about Obama's economic policies will win us this election.
These people don't want to hear us rip anyone apart. They want to know that Obama has a plan.
And I applaud them for it, really. I even found myself doing the old switcheroo, gritting my teeth and praising palin: "sure, she's attractive, she's got a lot of energy -- of course, the vice president doesn't decide any policy and doesn't really have an active role in making decisions. It's going to be McCain's government, not hers. And that means it's the same old Bush cronies in for another four years."
Another argument also seemed to work well. One voter said that the experience factor affected her. She parroted back the "a vote for obama is a gamble" trope. Which I countered with "well, those guys have had 8 years to run the country, and the economy is in shambles. I'm ready for some new ideas, and Obama is the guy who's got them."
My personal feeling was that these undecided voters are a little confused - torn between their emotional approval of Palin's personality on the one side, and on the other, their fundamental agreement with Obama on the issues.
I believe when it comes down to it on Nov. 4th, these voters and voters like them will get real and vote issues rather than personalities.
BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CASE. EVERY DAY. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ECONOMY ECONOMY ECONOMY.
PS: I used Feldman's "solutions to real problems" frame again and again. I hit "practical," "getting down to real work," and "solving our real problems." It worked great, and I felt STRONG saying it.
PPS: my first diary. fun!
UPDATE: Thanks for the comments, and the rec list and all that. not sure what tip jars accomplish. How about instead of a tip jar, we all just keep sharing more strategy ideas for undecideds? I like a good strategy session better than props.
UPDATE: someone suggested I link to this:
The Neighbor to Neighbor tool at the site makes phonebanking beyond easy.
FINAL UPDATE: ok, I also just joined a group at the Obama website called BaracksInspiredPhoneBankArmy -- and wouldn't you know, the first email i got from the group was an INCREDIBLY useful list of arguments to try. I really encourage people to join that group if you're planning to phonebank. They're saying the same things there that we're talking about here. Cross-fertilizing the discussion can only make us stronger!