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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Email Of The Day

Email Of The Day

by Tim F|  March 19, 20109:34 am| 48 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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From the staff of Senator whose support we can’t afford to lose.

…[W]e got more than 300 teabagger calls today. My intern cried. We got TWO (2) pro-reform calls today. I hate to beg, I really do. But y’all are doing a better job of whipping Members than anyone else. PLEASE KEEP CALLING.

You know what to do.

Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Guide for first-timers here.

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Previous Post: « Mass appeal
Next Post: They Need Our Help To Say Yes »

Reader Interactions

48Comments

  1. 1.

    iLarynx

    March 19, 2010 at 9:35 am

    Who?

  2. 2.

    Moses2317

    March 19, 2010 at 9:45 am

    Let’s continue to turn up the heat on Rep. Lipinski. Watch this video of a Mother’s Open Appeal to Congressman Lipinski, call his office, and then forward the video to all of your friends and encourage them to do the same.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfAXXID4Mu0

    D.C. Office – 202-225-5701
    Chicago – 312-886-0481

  3. 3.

    Robin G.

    March 19, 2010 at 9:46 am

    Don’t forget — call even if your Rep or Senators are Republicans. No, they won’t change their votes, but they shouldn’t get to sit there smiling, not having to deal with angry constituent calls. Let ’em have it.

  4. 4.

    shortstop

    March 19, 2010 at 9:47 am

    I guess I’m really lucky to have two progressive senators and a progressive rep. Their staffs kind of act like I’m bothering them when I call to support them.

  5. 5.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 19, 2010 at 9:48 am

    Tammy Baldwin is a yes. Staff was encouaged by my encouragement.

  6. 6.

    beltane

    March 19, 2010 at 9:48 am

    It’s probably the same group of 300 teabaggers calling every rep in the country. Rather than call, maybe we should send these long-suffering staffers some flowers.

  7. 7.

    ts

    March 19, 2010 at 9:48 am

    Tim, in this case wouldn’t it be better to identify the Sen? There is so little time left, it just doesn’t make sense to misdirect energy.

  8. 8.

    DBrown

    March 19, 2010 at 9:49 am

    All I get is a busy signal …

  9. 9.

    zhak

    March 19, 2010 at 9:50 am

    Here’s what I don’t get about all this stuff: presumably the elected officials and their staffs know quite well that the teabaggers are worked up because they think the bill will include Death Panels and Socialism and be the death of the true American spirit. So, presumably, they also know that the teabaggers are full of it. So WHY WOULD ANYBODY LISTEN TO THEM?

  10. 10.

    kay

    March 19, 2010 at 9:52 am

    I called Sherrod Brown’s offive to thank him again and was on hold for five minutes. The staffer sounded exhausted.

  11. 11.

    DanF

    March 19, 2010 at 9:58 am

    I’m going to stop by Baron Hill’s office before lunch today. I figure someone showing up in person is worth even more than a phone call.

  12. 12.

    beltane

    March 19, 2010 at 9:59 am

    @DanF: I saw Baron Hill on TV last night sounding like a probable “yes”. He looked very tired.

  13. 13.

    Tim F.

    March 19, 2010 at 10:00 am

    @DanF: Yes, it counts quite a bit more than a phone call. I’m sure that it wouldn’t hurt to bring cookies for the overwhelmed staffers.

  14. 14.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 19, 2010 at 10:02 am

    Herb Kohl is undecided. Feingold’s Washington office put me through to voice that is checked every hour and his Madison office did not pick up. I will be calling back.

  15. 15.

    DanF

    March 19, 2010 at 10:07 am

    I even have a carrot … I called his office after he voted against SCHIP funding in the previous election cycle and told them I would not vote for Baron in the next election (seriously, voting against poor children because of a tax on tobacco growers???). And I didn’t vote for him. As much as it pains me to vote for this guy, I will promise to vote for him, and even work for him in the general election if he votes for this bill.

  16. 16.

    someguy

    March 19, 2010 at 10:08 am

    Could we stop calling them teabaggers and just call them c0cksuckers? I mean honestly, teabagger was funny one time, or maybe for the first 689 million times. Now it’s a shoddy near-pun that is just totally worn out.

  17. 17.

    Woodrowfan

    March 19, 2010 at 10:08 am

    I only get a busy signal. Will keep trying

  18. 18.

    ellaesther

    March 19, 2010 at 10:10 am

    That is something else. Wowie.

    I have blogged about it, and tweeted (complete with a request for re-tweets), and if I have a chance, I’ll throw it into the conversation at Ta-Nehisi Coates’s place.

    I may miss TNC’s open thread today, though, so if any of you also hang out there, please mention it in the noon thread — there’s always good support for HCR and a handful of promises to call/reports from calls made whenever I bring it up.

    Good luck everybody! BLESS YOU TIM F.!

  19. 19.

    MazeDancer

    March 19, 2010 at 10:10 am

    That was the easiest thing I’ve ever done. You forget that it’s the answerer’s job to be receptive to your call.

    Never called before because the Rep is strongly pro reform. But thought I’d offer a nice voice in the storm. And say most supporters don’t call, but we’re out here.

    Of course, coming from a Suburu-driving, Fair Trade latte swilling, localvore obsessing, hippie-full, bluer-than-blue, lefter-than-left zip code, probably didn’t matter much. The person sounded tired. Mumbled thank you for your support.

    ETA: They all have web sites with direct number to their office. Quicker than switchboard. I only got one busy signal.

  20. 20.

    Woodrowfan

    March 19, 2010 at 10:11 am

    If you can’t get through to the switchboard, check the Rep’s website. They may have the direct number. I got through that way..

    And they were very nice. Probably happy to get someone that wasn’t screaming COMMIE! at them.

  21. 21.

    Chinn Romney

    March 19, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Tim, in this case wouldn’t it be better to identify the Sen? There is so little time left, it just doesn’t make sense to misdirect energy.

    Indeed. Which perfectly illustrates why this is doomed to fail. As long as we win the all important battle of who’s more clever that’s all that matters, right? I’m guessing he’s referring to Joe Lieberman, but heaven forbid we make it too easy on anyone.

  22. 22.

    ellaesther

    March 19, 2010 at 10:13 am

    @Woodrowfan: I’m going to say this in bold so that it stands out from the page, please don’t think I’m yelling at you!

    You can also call your representative’s DC offices or home district offices directly or send a fax. Here’s the House’s website — it’s very easy to get those numbers through there.

  23. 23.

    Woodrowfan

    March 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

    You can get direct contact numbers here..

    http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

  24. 24.

    Houstonian

    March 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Called Sheila Jackson Lee’s office again this morning (D-TX-18). Her staffer confirmed she was still for it. The staffer said it was nice to get a call supporting health care reform as they are getting lots of calls from the other side.

    Please call your Reps, even if they’re voting for it. They really appreciate the call and it’s important to let them know we’re out here. They thank me every time I call for taking the time to phone – they say it’s really nice to hear a friendly voice for a change.

    Question – will the Congressional offices be open tomorrow and Sunday for phone calls ? What should we do on those days?

  25. 25.

    Woodrowfan

    March 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Thanks Ella, I did just that.

    Never called before. have emailed quite a bit, but never called…

  26. 26.

    Tim F.

    March 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

    @Chinn Romney: Lieberman? Spare me. For confidentiality’s sake I can only tell you that it’s a Southern Democrat who is not necessarily a lost cause.

  27. 27.

    Houstonian

    March 19, 2010 at 10:18 am

    @MazeDancer:

    They all have web sites with direct number to their office. Quicker than switchboard. I only got one busy signal.

    I never bother with the switchboard anymore. The few times I’ve tried to use it, it’s taken way too long to get through. Dialing direct numbers works way better. Much faster.

  28. 28.

    ellaesther

    March 19, 2010 at 10:20 am

    I just finally got through to Danny Davis (Il-7th) by calling his home district office and said “I wanted the Congressman to know how much I appreciate his support for health care reform — I’m sure you guys are getting inundated with calls….”

    And the lovely staffer who answered laughed and said “we’ve been getting them from all sides, but the past few days, it’s mostly been the other side!”

    So, yeah. As usual, Tim F. = right. Keep calling! Give ’em your love!

  29. 29.

    ellaesther

    March 19, 2010 at 10:25 am

    @Woodrowfan: Yep, from the time-stamp I can see we were essentially typing in the same moment!

    Man, this is something else this HCR, isn’t it. I would love to read what the mood was like in the weeks before the Civil Rights Act was passed. I’m sure it was much the same, if less technologically amplified all over the place.

  30. 30.

    FormerSwingVoter

    March 19, 2010 at 10:48 am

    @zhak:

    So WHY WOULD ANYBODY LISTEN TO THEM?

    Because crazy people vote too.

  31. 31.

    BYoung

    March 19, 2010 at 10:48 am

    The contemporary Tories who call themselves patriots are attempting to tie up the switchboards and prevent positive calls from getting through. This is the only tactic they know – blocking progress. Don’t let them win. We watched people die in ‘Nam and got damn sick of it, while the “teabaggers” of the era chanted for even more death and destruction. They chanted for the invasion of Iraq and never mind the horrendous cost in money or human lives, because they weren’t paying. Now we watch people die for lack of a simple injection or a pill priced 50X the actual value.

    It’s time to stop watching and stand up and do it. Camp on the phone of your rep, apologize to the abused staffers, and make your majority voice heard.

  32. 32.

    jayjaybear

    March 19, 2010 at 11:06 am

    @FormerSwingVoter:
    Well, yes, they do. But every Dem congressman has to know that the people who are going to call your office to complain about Death Panels and socialism aren’t people who were going to vote for a Democrat anyway. These aren’t reasonable but centrist independent voters. These are teabagging right-wing nutters who would’ve been wearing black shirts 80 years ago.

  33. 33.

    cfaller96

    March 19, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I don’t understand the need for calls to this Senator. Hasn’t this Senator made up his/her mind yet? If not, then Jesus Tapdancing Christ make up your mind already. Stop fretting about the teabaggers, because they won’t support you no matter what you do. You’ve had tons of time to evaluate the merits of the bill- quit waffling and make a decision, and stop waiting for non-random phone calls to decide this for you.

    If you have made up your mind, however, then what’s the fucking problem here? That you don’t “feel good” enough about the decision, and thus you want more calls to validate your decision?

    Either way, I don’t see how this Senator isn’t a pathetic little jellyfish looking for an easy way to exit. Lame.

  34. 34.

    Fitzwili

    March 19, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Just called Tammy Baldwin’s Office – the staffer was so grateful for what she termed a pep talk- she said it several times, even when I said I was not a constituent, she told me that I had no idea how much she appreciated my call. I said that I knew that the staffers had been innundated with talk show callers screaming at them- so I thought it only fair that a non- constituent supporter should call and thank them. I said that no matter how horrendous it has been for them – the long days of having to deal with angry ill-informed people – that they are involved in something monumental. 20 years from now the memory of being yelled at will fade and they will be so proud that they were a part of this.

    I STRONGLY urge my fellow commenters to pick up the phone and start giving similar “pep” talks to the staffers – they could use energizing – For this purpose call anyone you think might be in the target line of teabaggers – it doesn’t have to be your congressperson- people NEED to hear friendly voices if we are going to make it thru to the finish line.

  35. 35.

    low-tech cyclist

    March 19, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Rick Boucher (D-VA) represents a district in the southwest corner of VA. He’s on TPM’s list of Congresscritters who voted No last time, but are undecided now. (But not on the Balloon Juice version of that list, for some reason.)

    I used to live in his district, and I called his office up to urge him to vote ‘Yes’ this time.

    He’s one of the good guys – especially on telecom issues (he’s a real telecom geek, at least by Congressional standards) where he’s been a leading advocate of Net neutrality and other good stuff. I think he’s persuadable on this one. Call him if you have any connection with that area!

    Also called my own Congresscritter, Steny Hoyer, just to say thanks for working so hard for HCR.

    Lots of busy signals at Congressional offices today – keep trying.

  36. 36.

    CaseyL

    March 19, 2010 at 11:51 am

    @Fitzwili:

    I STRONGLY urge my fellow commenters to pick up the phone and start giving similar “pep” talks to the staffers – they could use energizing – For this purpose call anyone you think might be in the target line of teabaggers – it doesn’t have to be your congressperson- people NEED to hear friendly voices if we are going to make it thru to the finish line.

    There are too many Congresscritters to just call a few randomly to thank. Should we focus on the recent converts, who are most likely to be getting the brunt of infuriated Right Wing Nut calls?

  37. 37.

    dr. bloor

    March 19, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    I weep for elected officials who base their decisions about what may be the biggest vote of their political careers on telephone tallies two days before the vote. They may as well go to one of those inane flash polls at CNN or pull the petals from a daisy to make up their (alleged) minds.

  38. 38.

    Tim F.

    March 19, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    @CaseyL: Start with your own. If you want to reach others, choose Reps who took the biggest political risk and thank them with a donation.

  39. 39.

    slag

    March 19, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    @FormerSwingVoter:

    Because crazy people vote too.

    If Democrats think they’re going to get a single teabagger vote no matter which way they come down on this bill, they’re the crazy ones.

  40. 40.

    TooManyJens

    March 19, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    @CaseyL: I’m thinking we should shore up the “leaning yes” folks like Kaptur.

    In addition to calling our own reps, calling undecideds, etc. etc.

  41. 41.

    kay

    March 19, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    “Mr. Obama then listened as Mr. Reid assured Miss Kaptur that the bill would not undermine the long-standing Hyde rule against federal abortion funding.

    “He said, ‘Marcy, I helped write those provisions. I assure you they don’t go beyond existing law,’•” Miss Kaptur said. “I said, ‘I want to see the language you’re talking about.’•”

    Smart. Reid is pro-life.

    Obama, as we all know, is a heathen, so he just listens.

  42. 42.

    Mnemosyne

    March 19, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Don’t forget that you have the fax option, too. I don’t have enough privacy at work to make calls, but I’ve been sending faxes.

    ETA: The fax number will be on the rep’s or senator’s website.

  43. 43.

    Susan Kitchens

    March 19, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Just heard that Dina Titus (D) of NV-3 (see district map) just announced her decision to vote FOR the bill! Yes. I’ll be calling to thank her. I’m not in NV, but I did go there to canvas for Obama before the election in 2008, so I was walking her district

    From her website’s contact page: We can be reached at (202) 225-3252 or (702) 387-4941

    Alas. Busy. I’ll keep trying.

  44. 44.

    Susan Kitchens

    March 19, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    ….aaaaaaaand I just got through to her field office. Nice friendly call of support, but after all the busy signals and trying to get through, I asked,

    –Is it crazy there?

    –Busy. It’s a busy day. (hey, it’s congress. this is what it’s like)

    I rattled off my bona fides – outta district, but I canvassed in her area before 2008 election and am calling to thank her for supporting the health care bill. Figured with all the calls from the other side–

    –the slamming?

    –Yes, with people who’re responding to misinformed fearmongering about what ISN’T in the bill calling in, I figured that you’d like a call of support and thanks from someone who’s happy to see her come out in favor of the bill.

    –Calls in support are always appreciated.

    And there you go.

  45. 45.

    Calliope

    March 19, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    I called Rep. Berman, CA 28th, my rep, and was assured by the very pleasant staffer that he is a firm yes vote. This was not a surprise, but I did want to get in there with a positive call to help balance out the nuts.

    I also called Senators Boxer and Feinstein. Sen. Boxer’s voice mailbox was full. I got through to a harried but grateful staffer at Sen. Feinstein’s office. Feinstein “is a firm supporter of comprehensive Medical care reform”.

  46. 46.

    Martian Buddy

    March 19, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Specter and Casey are both on board for reconciliation, which makes me feel slightly better about the fact that my Rep. is a lockstep liar.

  47. 47.

    Todd

    March 19, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    Called Sen Klobuchar to voice my support. Staffer who answered the phone semed pretty affectless. Not sure what that really means. I was on a telephone town hall with my Rep Keith Ellison last night and (no surprise here) he’s a definite yes. It was amusing that most of the wingnuts on the call yesterday were very polite and Minnesota Nice, even in the face of impending socialism and the end of all Amercian freedoms.

  48. 48.

    Lisa

    March 20, 2010 at 2:38 am

    It wouldn’t hurt to call Senator Landrieu from Louisiana. She could use some support from pro-reform Dems & moderates.

    Keep in mind that most of Louisiana is either self-employed or work for small businesses (not a lot of big corporate).

    Vitter is a lost cause but you could chide him for passing around the faux memo and let him know WHY Louisiana & the US need health care reform.

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