Congressperson on the phone. How best to use that opportunty?

November 17, 2011 12:26 PM

Congresspeople and candidates call me. What should I ask them? What should I tell them?

In some previous elections cycles, I've maxed out my political donations, and as a result, congresspeople, or prospective congresspeople (DEMs all), call me, themselves, hoping for more scratch.

So far I've more or less squandered this opportunity; I decide who to support through other research. But these people will listen to money, and I can get them to get specific on things, possibly.

My memory is shitty so I'm not generally familiar, on the spot, with what their policies may be, but I'd kind of like an arsenal of questions or comments to make. For example I can say "what do you think of the OWS protests"? (For reference, I think they're f'in awesome.) Or I can say: "SOPA sucks", but that's not going to be a current issue forever.

I realize this question is idiotic, and I should be able to articulate what I care about, and maybe test the candidate. But that's the problem I'm hoping you folks can help me solve.

posted by grumdrig to Law & Government (12 answers total)

Personally, I don't think I would use the opportunity to ask questions, unless there was something really important to me that I couldn't figure out from other sources.

What I would do is identify 1-2 issues that I see as the VERY MOST important issues, and tell the congressperson / candidate that they are the most important issues for me. I might also tell the congressperson why they are so important to me.
posted by insectosaurus at 12:30 PM on November 17, 2011 [4 favorites]

What do you care about most in this world? Additional funds for specific causes? A law to protect or build something? An injustice a new law can help with? Ask them what they think about it. Become an advocate for the things you care about. And you'll be more motivated to learn all about them because you already care about them.
posted by inturnaround at 12:34 PM on November 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

I don't know about you, but a couple of top issues for me (which incidentally align with Democratic interests) are climate change and Guantanamo.

We have only one habitable planet, and if it goes past a tipping point, we could all be in deep kimchi. If you agree with this, I would work with them to avoid that tipping point. Sorry I don't have more-specific suggestions on that.
posted by maurreen at 12:43 PM on November 17, 2011

I'm feeling assy in general this year, so take this with a grain of salt - but I'd ask how my rep voted on the whole "In God We Trust" nonsense, and follow that up either a "way to go" or "Is there any reason why I should continue to support someone who doesn't believe in the First Amendment to the Constitution?"

And if they haven't hung up on me by then, I'd be all something something alternative energy and transportation infrastructure.
posted by zomg at 12:55 PM on November 17, 2011 [4 favorites]

You should tell them what's important to you. What's bothering you. What you'd like to see changed.

And since you asked, you should tell them for me that Student Loan Forgiveness needs to be reformed WAY in the direction of easing up on graduates.
posted by gauche at 12:58 PM on November 17, 2011

Do some research on bills that really mattered to you, in particular any amendments to bills, and look up how they voted. If they basically voted how you wanted them to, tell them that you encourage them voting with you on that issue. If they voted against your preferences, ask them what, specifically was the reason they didn't. Sometimes the vote on a bill may have been good (PPACA aka Affordable Care Act aka health care reform/"Obamacare") but the vote on amendments was not (Stupak provisions, no public option). Press them on what motivated them on those, too.
posted by zombieflanders at 1:12 PM on November 17, 2011

Tell them to please for the love of all that is holy, leave the freakin' NEA alone. It's always first on the chopping block when it comes to budget cuts, and it's too tiny to make a dent in the budget -- but it's still a damn big deal to the arts groups that benefit (which, in turn, could create jobs by hiring people to do concessions, work at the box office, clean, do the electrics work in the theaters, construction, catering....)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2011 [1 favorite]

You could look at what's on the calendar as far as upcoming floor votes that they will be participating in. Let them know that if they want your money, you expect to see them vote your way on it. (Obviously, make it very clear how you want them to vote.) If it's between now and the next election, you might get them to bend a little if your voice (and, your wallet) combines with others.
posted by Citrus at 1:23 PM on November 17, 2011

What is their take on the concept of corporate personhood (specifically wrt the Citizens United decision and its effect on campaigns), the role of lobbyists, and the need for campaign finance reform? Do they like the status quo with regard to those issues, and if so, why? If they want to see reforms, what strategies would they support?
posted by gimli at 2:43 PM on November 17, 2011

Story goes that when JFK was running in South Dakota, he gave a speech on Ag policy, after which his private comment was, "Fuck the farmers after November."

YMMV.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:27 PM on November 17, 2011

BTW, that was not meant as total snark. I simply do not believe you can have a meaningful conversation with any politician unless you are currently cutting them a large check. Chat for fun if you like, but for real change, either spend serious money or join a larger coalition.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:29 PM on November 17, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks everyone!

IndigoJones, I'd generally be cutting them the largest check I'm allowed to ($2500, or $5000 if before primary).
posted by grumdrig at 7:03 PM on November 17, 2011