- Visit www.congress.org .
- Click on the "Election 2008" button on the lower left.
- Click your area of the country.
- Click "See All My Candidates & Races" and type in your address.
- Visit your candidates' websites, join their mailing lists, and
attend their upcoming events! It is even effective to go to all events
in your area, even if not in your district. If you see something worth
pursuing, send a quick email or make a phone call to your core group of
organizers and make it happen!
When Q & A opportunities arise at events, we encourage you to consider the benefits of asking:
- Specific questions regarding initiatives in the DOP bill that
affect your district such as "How do you plan to support the expansion
of anti-bullying initiatives our schools?" or "How will you address the
problem of gang violence on the south side of town?"
- Broad questions international components of the DOP bill such as
"Would you support the expansion of systems and structures in our
federal government that focus on international conflict analysis and
prevention such as the U.S. Institute of Peace and USAID's Office of
Conflict Management and Mitigation?"
- Direct DOP questions such as "Do you support HR 808, the bill to
establish a U.S. cabinet-level Department of Peace? If not, how do you
propose we answer the call to strengthen our conflict resolution
infrastructure in light of our overly-militarized policies?
Let us know if you are interested in engaging your candidates by emailing Rob at
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or calling him at (619) 990-5431 so we can support you in your efforts!
Your district matters! Every district and area of the country has
its own unique influence on what happens in Washington D.C. and the
standing of the legislation for a U.S. Department of Peace. We hope you
will find the additional information below helpful. May we make our
voices heard and get our candidates to speak out meaningfully for peace!
Gratitude,
Rob Atkinson and the SPA Legislative Strategy Committee
At-A-Glance
Visibility
SPA/DOP Materials
Preparation
Crafting Questions
Note: Below information is designed to provide options and
possibilities, not set requirements. Don't feel overwhelmed by the
multitude of options and things to pay attention to! Instead, just
decide what makes sense to you, and have fun!
Visibility
Unless the rules of the event restrict this, make yourself and your
group stand out as much as possible! This includes eye-catching signs,
brightly colored T-shirts (i.e. one DOP group made bright green shirts
that said "808" on them) and trying to get close to the stage and in
front of cameras. One DOP group made it to the front row at an Obama
rally and stood there holding a sign up the whole time. There were lots
of media, and a photographer from the Associated Press took a shot. The
photo is still on the Yahoo! News Slideshow for Barack Obama.
Again, Make LOUD T-Shirts! One group made Large 808 t-shirts that
caused people to approach them and ask, "What is 808?" At a rally,
Barack Obama turned toward two DOP organizers and asked, "What is 808?
What does your t-shirt mean?" The group wore them to tabling events and
regular events. Having three or four people wearing T-Shirts and
standing together is a head-turner and initiates conversation!
SPA/DOP Materials
Carry plenty of PA/SPA cards/brochures/handouts in pocket, and be
ready to hand to press/candidates/constituents on demand. Also, these
events are a great time to gamer D.O.P. endorsements from high-up
people. Make 30 endorsement request packets to hand to a VIP (very
important person) should you meet one. This consists of the Peace
Alliance Official Endorsement Request, other SPA/DOP flyers, Official
lists of Endorsing organizations, etc. Fold them in a 6 x 9 white
envelope, apply a printed mailing label with the Peace Alliance D.C.
office address on it and leave it open. Slip it inside an SPA/DOP
Brochure. Consider sticking a stamp on the envelopes so all they have
to do is read, agree, endorse and mail back.
Make a presidential peace packet, usually the same day. Use a large
bright-blue folder, and attach a SPA/DOP Logo Sticker on the outside.
Include the bill, the overview, a brochure, your contact information, a
DOP button, and something special. The quotation "peace cards" are a
good option:
https://www.artiststowatch.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=6&phpMyAdmin=2932c4ef7b65d375ef9bb40cc2547297
Preparation and Crafting Questions
Special thanks to American Friends Service Committee, New Hampshire Program (with revisions/additions)
Arrive Early: This is especially important if the candidate
is very popular, leading in the polls, or if it is late in the election
season. In situations where there is a question and answer period, it
will be important for you to be close enough to the candidate so that
you are in his or her line of sight.
Have Your Question Ready: Get input from family and friends
about the best way to frame a question. Practice asking it to yourself.
Make certain your question is brief, fact based, and direct. (See
“Crafting Questions” section.)
Ask Your Question Early: At events where there is a question
and answer period most people in the audience will not raise their hand
immediately. If you indicate early interest, you are more likely to be
called on.
Stick Your Hand Out: Candidates often walk through the crowd
shaking hands and pausing for brief conversations. Be ready for these
one-on-one opportunities. Position yourself in the candidate’s path,
e.g. before or after a candidate gives a speech.
Work in Teams of Two or More & Disperse: Since
bird-dogging can make people nervous, it is good to go in teams of two
or more people. One person asks the question while another writes down
the candidate’s response. Dispersing at the event will improve the odds
that more than one of your group will get to ask a question. Be
prepared to ask a follow-up question if you feel like the candidate
dodged a question or you want more details. Also, come prepared with
more than one question, as someone may ask your question before you get
the chance. (D.O.P. groups have had success previously at events with
the Mayor of Miami (twice), Donna Shalala (President of UM), Erykha
Badu, Melissa Etheridge, The Bob Marley family, Matisyahu, Barack Obama
and Hillary Clinton and more!)
Know the Candidate’s Positions: Research your candidates'
voting record and stances on peace-related issues both in your district
and beyond. This information can be considered as you brainstorm the
types of questions to ask. Ask a question that shows you know something
about the candidate’s position, and that you want to know more. Don't
be afraid to ask tough, specific questions, and choose a topic that you
want him or her to make a move on.
Be Calm and Reasonable, But Determined: Maintaining a
respectable tone will bring a more positive response from the
candidate, their staff, other voters, and the media, if they are
present. Getting angry, sarcastic, or emotional will generally result
in being ignored. One can even preface your question with a comment on
something the candidate has done well, before proceeding to your
question. Go to the event expecting to get press interviews and to
speak to the candidates personally. Always be ready to speak concisely
and compellingly about the need and importance of our work. Reaching a
candidate or a VIP is about taking chances, a little luck, and being
determined to place a seed of peace in their hands.
Take Notes and Record: The only way to track the responses of
candidates is to have a record of what they said. It is also helpful to
have notes when you are trying to frame a follow-up question. Bring
audio or video equipment, and consider posting recordings on the web.
Be Prepared to Speak with the Media: Generally speaking,
journalists like to speak to folks who have asked the candidate a
question. Remember to stay on message when talking to reporters by
talking about the issue that is important to you. For example, if the
reporter asks “what do you think of Senator Firefly?” respond “I’d like
him to say more about why/how he would propose to expand of our
military, considering recruitment rates are so low.” Don’t be afraid to
approach reporters even if they have not approached you. Try
positioning yourself next to a reporter and striking up a conversation,
again remembering to stay on message.
Be Creative & Improvise When Necessary: Being a bird-dog
is not just about asking questions. Street theatre, or even a simple
picket sign, can raise public and candidate awareness on key issues.
These tactics are especially helpful at events where you are prevented
from entering or if you are well known to the candidate or his/her
staff.
Share What You Have Learned: After the event is over, pass on
to others what you have learned by using your own email lists, and
sharing what you’ve learned with local organizers.
Crafting Questions
Elements of a Good Question
- Focused on a particular issue
- Concise
- Puts candidates on the spot
- Informs whoever is listening, including reporters
- Embellishments
- Personal anecdotes
- Local facts
- Candidate facts, e.g. reference to votes and quotes.
Bad Questions
- Softball, e.g. “what do you think about …..?
- Rambling
- Multi-issue
- Long
- Overly technical
- Unfamiliar Acronyms
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