Door knocks, Phone Banks, and Fruit Baskets: The Outsiders Guide to Visiting Your Congressional District
“Things you should know before you go to your Congressional district to campaign”
It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing into beautiful golden colors, college and pro football seasons have begun, restaurants are changing menus and adding hearty soups and delicious coffee drinks. But what else is happening in D.C.?
The mass exodus of Hill Staffers traveling to their congressional districts is in full swing. They are returning to work in district in hopes of helping their boss win reelection (and to keep their jobs). If you live year around in DC, congrats, the lines for happy hour will now be considerably shorter and the metro will not be as crowded.
For those of you who are about to embark on the great journey outside of the beltway this article is for you. The following are some words of wisdom for you to follow while dealing with the locals.
- Be nice to the locals, they hate you. That might be a bit harsh, they don’t really hate you but don’t be surprised you aren’t welcomed with open arms. The locals have been defending the votes from your office for the past year and half. You could be the first person they have actually ever met from your Congressional office. They have issues they want to talk about and they might tell you how your boss needs to be more conservative or more liberal. Let them blow off some steam.
- If you are staying in someone’s house bring them a gift of appreciation. It could be golf balls from the Capitol gift shop or a fruit basket, doesn’t matter just bring them something nice. Show them you appreciate the fact that they are putting up with your comings and goings at all hours of the day and night. That being said, don’t bring home people from the bar to a host house. Go to your hookups place instead.
- Speaking of bars, when a local takes you to the “best political bar in the country” just agree with them and comment about all the history that the place must have seen. Yes, I know that you probably drink at a place where backroom political deals are made everyday in D.C. or every President since Eisenhower has dined but don’t argue with them. Just agree, smile and buy the next round.
Who doesn’t love to phone bank?
- Phone bank! Knock on doors! You are there to get your boss re-elected and to save your job! Show the locals that you are there to work and it will be easier for them to make those extra ten phone calls if they see you right next to them doing the same thing. When their feet hurt from door knocking you better be limping along with them and walking up to that next door. This above all will earn you the respect from the locals.
Most importantly show them how much you care that they are volunteering so that you can keep your job. Have fun and don’t worry you will be back in DC soon enough!
A misplaced Yankee currently living in Savannah, GA, Gunner has over a decade of professional campaign work ranging from U.S. Senate candidates to small city council races. He was a political commentator during the 2008 election cycle for WBMQ radio station. In 2009 he was named one of Savannah/Hilton Head’s “Top 40 under 40” by the Savannah Business Report and Journal. He has also been voted “Best Liberal of Savannah” by the readers of The Connect (Savannah’s alternative newspaper). Also, an avid outdoorsman, Gunner enjoys killing animals that cannot defend themselves and then eating them. He prefers charcoal over gas grills when completing this task. To date his most important accomplishment has been rescuing a beagle named Truman. Follow Gunner on Twitter @gunnerhall
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