Taking the campaign to the candidates

This is Cut&Pasted from an email sent to me from PublicCitizen.  Please enjoy and add comments.

Thank you,
Sylvia

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Sylvia,

Thousands have signed up to ask local candidates to support the Declaration for Democracy.*

Here’s another really effective way to make sure federal candidates respond to our call for democracy reforms:

Bird-dogging.

Bird-dogging may sound like a silly word, but it’s the long-standing tactic to get a candidate on record on an issue. If the candidates have not responded to requests that they sign the Declaration, take the show on the road.

Show up with friends at public events, town halls, fundraisers and handshake lines. Space yourselves out.

Here are some phrases you could use depending on the candidate. “Support getting money out of politics!” “Do you support voting rights?” “Thank you for supporting an amendment!” Hand the candidate or a staffer a copy of the Declaration and ask them to take a stand for democracy.

Bring a camera and take pictures or shoot a video. If you can’t get in, bring signs, chant, do street theater and notify the media. Send us an email to order signs, get advice or let us know how it went. Check out the recording from our How to Bird-dog call held last week for more tips.

Together we can make sure that the challenges facing our democracy are discussed by the candidates.

Thank you,

Aquene Freechild
Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign

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*The Declaration allows candidates to take a stand for fair and transparent elections, voting rights and an amendment to overturn Citizens United. If you haven’t already called, emailed or visited candidates running for federal office in your area, this is your moment. Find your local candidates at www.votesmart.org and reach out.

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