Letter to writing to Iowa/NH voters. . .good or bad?

[wndycty]

How do you guys feel about letter writing. I go back and forth on this. A friend of mine forwarded this article to me. . .your thoughts?

Dean supporters target Iowa with letters

Campaign officials say no one else is trying the handwritten tactic on this large a scale.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Register Staff Writer
12/18/2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presidential candidate Howard Dean's supporters from other states have written more than 100,000 letters to Iowa Democrats encouraging them to support Dean in the leadoff caucuses.
-snip-

Trippi said the letters have been well-received. Some Iowa Democrats, however, consider the advice unwelcome.

Keokuk Democrat Marlene Kelso said she got a letter from a college student in Kentucky in November encouraging her to support Dean, a former Vermont governor. Kelso has not committed her support to any candidate but is considering Dean, U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Kelso, a 60-year-old homemaker, said the letter rubbed her the wrong way.

"I don't like this mail that's coming. I don't like people putting pressure on me on how to vote," she said. "I'm a very independent, free thinker."
-snip-

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/23048344.html

[CMT]

1. despite the example your friend sent

it has been wildly successful. Dean's rise in both Iowa and NH can be pin-pointed to the letter writing campaigns in both states. The campaign itself has gotten hundreds of responses from people who received letters who really enjoyed this touch rather than a cold form letter.

[wndycty]

3. Given a choice. . .

. . .between working on the ground in your state or letter writing to another state what would you do?

[Cheswick2.0]

8. why would you have to choose between the two?

I can write letters and work on the ground. I may even take a bus trip to NH to work on the ground there.

[wndycty]

21. Often times we get volunteers who can only give us one day. . .

. . .do we want them to write letters to another state or do something local?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

25. Whichever they are more comfortable with

Letter writing can be done in between times and whenever you have a chance. I know some people who just can't volunteer time "on the ground" for one reason or another, so they write more letters. Most people who work "on the ground" also write letters.

Not sure why this is a big deal to you. I say people should do the best they can.

[wndycty]

29. Not necessarily a big deal but a question. . .

. . .it is always good to get input from others, isn't it?

[helleborient]

2. VERY successful...

We have family friends who live in Iowa and they all say it is great. They have received letters and know a number of other people who have received letters...it is something that absolutely distinguishes our campaign from the mail sent out by other campaigns.

They have discussed the difference between handwritten letters from other voters in support of Dean vs. the pre-printed attack trash mailed by Gephardt's campaign.

Last night I was at an Iowa Victory Day letter writing party. Great bunch of people and a great time! On to victory!!

[Padraig18]

4. I've received several positive responses.

I've written almost 100 people in IA and NH, and I have had the pleasure of several very nice 'Thank you's and have had 5 'Ok, you convinced me's. :)

[wndycty]

5. We have had letter writing session for Clark on Saturdays but. . .

. . .my question is if your choice is doing work on the ground in your state or letter writing what would you do.

[helleborient]

12. I do both...and I'm going to Iowa...

There doesn't have to be a choice made.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

23. Both!

We wrote letters on Wednesday, and met for several hours yesterday about local work we are doing.

[LuminousX]

56. Depends on the level of resources

If you don't have a lot of extra people with extra hours to spare, far better to pound pavement. If you do have the extra people, then do both.

Letter writing in and of itself won't be successful, it needs to be backed up with on the ground efforts.

[Cheswick2.0]

6. I have worked many phone banks

you will always get angry people who tell you that you are bothering them. That always amazes me, how can a two minute phone call to talk about democracy be such an inconvenience? But phone banks work and we keep doing them. I don't see why the letters wouldn't be an improvement over the phone calls. No one is invading your privacy, just writing a friendly letter advocating for a certain candidate. I also think it has got to be better than the form letters normally sent out.

[helleborient]

13. Exactly, Phone solicitation is significantly more invasive than letters

[HFishbine]

7. Considering

That Dean leads in Iowa and NH, I would say that should be a clear enough indication for you. But if a an anecdote makes you question the wisdom, maybe another will put it in a different light.

I've written eight letters, four to NH and four to IA voters. I received a reply from a NH voter, coincidentally a 58 year-old female homemaker. Here is part of her reply.

"I agree with you that this election is vital to the future of America so I've been paying close attention. I liked Dr. Dean for many of the same reasons you like him too but I wasn't sure if he'd do well in other parts of the country. Your letter helped me decide to vote for Dr. Dean. I'll do my part to help him win in New Hampshire so that you can vote for him in North Carolina."

[Cheswick2.0]

17. my first letter hasn't even arrived at it's destination yet

I just sent it yesterday. I am hoping for some email responses. I am hosting a letter writing meeting on monday night. I have also made an email list of local supporters.
I was leaning towards Clark, but when I gave Dean a second look I gained a lot of respect for his grassroots organization and the respect it shows to the voters. I have had the experience of volunteering for a campaign and not even getting called to do anything. That is not happening in this campaign and that is the result of Dean and his advisors and I have to think that is a good sign of future success.

[HFishbine]

19. Thank you brother Cheswick

(or is it sister?) In what state do you live?

[Cheswick2.0]

26. sister.... <grin>

and I am in Pa.
I have relatives in NH. Two out of three are supporting Dean at least at this point. My step mother likes Edwards and I am not pushing her but I am wondering if they are all on the letter writing list to receive letters. I wonder if there is a way to add them. They could use a little encouragement from other people besides myself.

[HFishbine]

28. Here's an idea

PM me their addresses. I'll write to them.

Hope you're planning on some leg work in PA, it's gonna be a close state that we need.

[Cheswick2.0]

33. ground work? I plan on running the county office eventually

We will see if Dean shares my enthusiasm for my plan. LOL
I will send you their addresses in a moment. Thank you!

[Duder]

9. Does Thomas Beaumont...

...only know one Democrat in Iowa?

There's this story:

Keokuk Democrat Marlene Kelso said she got a letter from a college student in Kentucky...

And then a story today:

Voters hesitate to pick leader of pack
By THOMAS BEAUMONT
Register Staff Writer
12/19/2003

Marlene Kelso is waiting for inspiration.

Perhaps this 60 year old homemaker is feeling pressure from being interviewed all the time by Thomas.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

11. That's hilarious

Bet it's his cousin.

[HFishbine]

15. Thomas and Marlene

sitting in a tree
d-i-s-s-i-n-g

[RevolutionStartsNow]

10. No question that it's good

Dean's poll numbers go up after every letter writing blitz. There are countless stories about volunteers who came to the campaign because they received one or more letters. I have a friend who is working in Iowa who meets people every day while canvassing who were thrilled to receive letters. They are generally brief and hand-written, and with few exceptions, I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled to get one.

It's so successful that other campaigns are copying the idea. :)

[Nadienne]

14. I can see the advantages

No one hangs up on you
You can cover a lot of information
They can keep the information and refer back to it...

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. I think both are good.

Local, on the ground, get the vote out, spread the name is good because MOST people aren't political and haven't even thought about the primaries. Nothing compares to local ground work. However, I did send out 100 letters to NH and Michigan and think it's important for people who maybe aren't as familiar with Clark to get to know him and to know he has support around the country.

Then, I think..How would "I" feel if someone sent me a letter about supporting another candidate other than Clark? I decided I would just throw it in the garbage :7...wouldn't bother me in the least.

Has anyone who HAS mailed out letters received any negative feedback from someone you sent a letter to?

[Ficus]

18. if you write a letter to me

please include your return address so I can write you back as to why Dennis Kucinich is better! ;-)


In all seriousness, I don't know that this has affected anyone who I know here in Iowa who has gotten a letter. Kinda a waste of postage. Save that money to beat Bush next year!

[Cheswick2.0]

20. I always include my address and would welcome a letter back

however maybe DK should start a letter writing campaign. It seems to work well for Dean.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

22. I've received a letter back

I even put in a SASE for people to respond. I received a very nice thank you from an undecided Iowa voter who was happy to get a letter.

[Ficus]

35. the one I got from Austin TX

didn't have a return address. It was nice though. A good idea to get name recognition out there, IMO, but not really worth a lot now. But either way - my comment was a joke. You always seem to take stuff so personally. I would love to write back.

[wndycty]

30. Interesting point. . .

. . .I have often wondered if what every you gain in letter writing you lose in another area.

[beyurslf]

24. They find one older woman who didn't like getting letters...

and that means we should stop? No way!

I bet that woman is also one who thinks Iowa is justified in always having such a disproptionate say in who is chosen as the nominee. They are a little state with few Democrats. Many more votes in Iowa swing on agriculture than the rest of the country. Their caucuses require more time, money, and dedication than primaries. Yet they still always get to be first?

Please, if she doesn't want a letter, move to another state. She can hope, then, like the rest of us, that her candidate is annoited by those in Iowa.

[Cheswick2.0]

27. it that "iowa stubborn"... you've gotta admire it just a bit

Oh, there's nothing halfway,
About the Iowa way to treat you,
When we treat you,
Which we may not do at all!
There's an Iowa kind,
A kind-a chip-on-the-shoulder attitude,
We've never been without that we recall!

We can be cold as the falling
Thermometer in December if you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by-gone stubborn, we can
Stand touching noses for a week at a time,
And never see eye-to-eye.

But what the heck!
You're welcome,
join us at the picnic.
You can have your fill of all the food you bring yourself.
You really ought to give Iowa a try,
Provided you are contrary.

(dialogue)

We can be cold as our falling
Thermometers in December if you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by-gone stubborn, we can
Stand touching noses for a week at a time,
And never see eye-to-eye.

But we'll give you our shirt,
And a back to go with it,
If your crop should happen to die.

So what the heck!
You're welcome!
Glad to have you with us!
Even though we may not ever mention it again!

You really ought to give Iowa,
Hawk-eye, Iowa,
Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Marshaltown, Mason City, Ke-o-kuk, Ames,
Clearlake!
Ought to give Iowa a try!

[Hep]

31. I've never been comfortable with it

I've written a bunch of letters. At first I thought it was kinda invasive, but I got over it. It is the letters that have us winning in Iowa and NH. Some people don't like being told how to vote, but that's not what's happening. AT least the envelopes and letters are hand written and original. No one is telling anyone what to do. We're just saying how WE feel. And it works.

Yeah, if you look hard enough, you'll find people put off by the letters. Big deal. Apparently it takes sixth months to find enough people to make a story out of it.

[wndycty]

32. I am less concerned about the negative impact. . .

. . .I am more concerned about where it should fall on the priority list.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

34. For me, it's a priority

I wouldn't stay home from a local event to write letters, I would just do both.

But then the other night I went to a letter writing event instead of a small Meetup, because the letter writing was closer to where I would be anyway.

I don't think people need to worry about what's a higher priority, just do what you can, then do a little more. Some people are great at the letter writing, there are some Dean supporters who have written hundreds of letters. For others it's a much more laborious task and they can probably accomplish more by getting involved in another way.

[Hep]

36. The campaign looks at it this way

Despite Gep outspending us 2-1 in Iowa, we're winning. It is believed that we're winning because of the letters.

So it's a priority. The single most important thing one can do for the campaign.

[Ficus]

38. Hep

You man is winning here because he's worked his ass off since last year. I really admire that about Dean. I think the letters were nice, but only marginally effective (just from folks I know who've gotten them.) But if you've gotten positive replys, then great!

[Hep]

44. I haven't gotten any replies

But that's what Trippi tells us. he and I could easily be wrong!

[Ficus]

37. that is the only point

I was trying to make. I think it was BRILLIANT back in the spring. Not so effective now.

[eileen_d]

39. I would imagine it depends on the tone of the letter

Since I live in a late-primary red state which is geographically isolated from any of the primary "hot spots" I am planning on doing a lot of letter writing. (For Guess Who? ;) )I imagine that letters sent to states before they are knee-deep in the primaries are more welcome and effective.

I'm glad to hear discussion about this.

[blm]

40. Fundamentalists employ letter writing campaigns to encourage

acquaintances, family and friends to seek Jesus. They explain how finding Jesus changed their lives, and they want their loved one to receive that same joy.

The fundies got it from the moonies who have been doing it for decades.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

46. Cool! We're taking back letter writing from the fundies!

The key to the letter writing is that it's personal, sincere and hand-written. So few people receive hand-written letters anymore that I bet it's a nice surprise.

As for my acquaintances, family and friends, they just get email!

[blm]

49. Nope. You're just employing the same tactics. Propaganda 101....

personalize your entreaty.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

54. Americans writing to other Americans = a good thing!

How is this not better than receiving a form letter from a candidate, which I'm sure lots of people in Iowa do every single day?

This is Americans writing to other Americans. How can this possibly be bad, people reaching out to one another on a personal level? I think it's brilliant.

[Cheswick2.0]

50. Oh Jeez

you have got to be kidding. So, I guess you had better stop Kerry from doing it Eh? How many days before his website starts doing the same thing?

[blm]

51. Not kidding at all, Cheswick. Fundies do this.

They have done so since the 70s. They use personal entreaties to the family, friends and acquaintances.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

55. The difference is that it's being used for something positive

Encouraging people to get involved in their democracy again.

But you will never see that, because it's Dean, so it must be bad. Sigh...

[LuminousX]

58. Other difference... letters to strangers instead

[9119495]

61. I got one from a Kerry supporter.

So Kerry supporters= fundamentalists. I'm not Kerry's biggest fan but if blm is an expert...

Seriously, letters are good because there are too many other impersonal methods out there. I actually like to find out why an individual supports a candidate. Its better than a mass E-mail, phone call, phone message, or mailing w/ pretty pictures. I got a great one from a long-time teacher who supported Edwards. I'm not supporting him, but it changed the way I thought about him for a while and assured me I'd be making a good choice in voting for him in the general if he got the nod.

The issue seems controversial because Dean's name is most attached to it.

[Hep]

62. You win the kewpie doll

If it's Dean it's bad. Until Kerry does it. Then it's OK. But still bad when Dean did it. That's why there are so many people at this board named Ignore!

[LuminousX]

57. Interesting comparison

Are you saying that Dean is a cult or are you just making a non-sequitor comment?

[TexasSissy]

41. All America needs - more junk mail & spam

I guess his staff figures bad PR is better than no PR. Ticking someone off - at least they might remember your name that way, I guess. And you get it done by your supporters for free. It's one way to go.

[rucky]

43. These are hand written letters from supporter to supporter

it's a great f-ing idea, imo.

[Hep]

45. How many would you say get pissed off vs appreciate it

Where's the data from your study?

[LuminousX]

59. ROFL - Yeah, I hear a lot of stories about po'd people re: letters

On the bright side, all this extra postage is helping keep the price of stamps from going up.

[rucky]

42. Deanies have been letter-writing for months

I give the letters partial-to-full credit for all of Dean's accomplishments.

He rose in IA & NH shortly after the campaign started.

He got the Gore endorsement shortly after that campaign started.

There is a connection.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

48. 2,500 letters to Al Gore made a difference

And you can bet that the Clarkies are frantically writing to both Clintons...In fact someone posted here recently that a Clark campaign insider said that the best thing they could do if they wanted Clinton's endorsement was to write to him and ask for it.

[killbotfactory]

47. It's probably more effective than a standard campaign letter

I honestly don't understand why Mrs. Kelso would be offended by someone asking her to vote a certain way. That's what every campaign does.

[Cheswick2.0]

52. great campaign strategy...uh its time to vote, for no one in particular

whatever, we don't care enough to try and influence you!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

53. I kind of wondered if it would be a good idea...

It could backfire - especially if the letter is badly written or is condescending.

[wndycty]

60. I don't think it will backfire. . .

. . .I just think it is a case of priorities.