Campaigning for Studebaker in Dayton, Ohio

Greetings from Dayton, Ohio. I just returned from handing out flyers for Democrat Stephanie Studebaker's campaign to replace Republican Mike Turner in the House of Representatives this fall. It wasn't an unpleasant assignment, since it was at the Dayton Blues Festival, featuring great music and delicious food.

Studebaker is a fantastic candidate for this year's election.
Studebaker for Congress

Strickland and Brown are doing well in the polls, so Ohio is clearly tired of the same old, same old Republican greed and short-sightedness. Stephanie got her start as a DFA member, but has never held political office. She is a veterinarian who has no ambitions to be a career politician. The current anti-incumbent feeling makes her an excellent candidate to run against Turner. Add to that her intelligence, her business experience, her progressive positions, her genuine, charming personality. They add up to a winner. The young team directing her campaign is enthusiastic and experienced. But we need more help.

The local Democratic party is not offering substantive support to Stephanie. I don't understand how they can afford to ignore this opportunity to win back a seat in the House, but they aren't stepping up and giving her the exposure she needs, much less money.

Sadly, there is also a shortage of volunteers for her campaign. Operating without the lavish budget available to Turner, his printing perquisites as incumbent, and his ability to conjure photo ops on trips and with the likes of Laura Bush, we need lots of volunteers to spread the word. We have names, but they do not seem to have the time to participate.

Granted, our greatest need has been for people to make phone calls, which many people (including me) don't enjoy. But I don't enjoy doing many things that are necessary to reach worthwhile goals. I do them nevertheless.

Does anyone have experience with making the campaign experience better for volunteers? As a volunteer myself, I've found the experience good. The headquarters are reasonably comfortable. The people running the campaign have been unfailingly friendly, thoughtful and appreciative. There has always been something for me to do whenever I've shown up. Of course, I am willing to do phone calls.

Any tips or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Just a volunteer.