A Pledge to Vote

There was a knock on the door last week, to which I was surprised. I don't get many unannounced visitors. It was a young man out door to door for people voting Sestak. I am a Sestak supporter and typically don't mind these temporary interruptions to my normally very bland days. However, this time it did irk me a little. He asked for a "pledge to vote". Now of course I was already planning on voting, knew who I was voting for and it was for the person he was supporting. So why did this bother me so much?

The Telemarketer Feel of "Pledging to Vote"
Since the election is looming the ads have stepped up, one after another. These ads do not help decide on who I am voting for, as they are typically only smear campaigns and I don't believe a word of them. Even of the ones by the candidates I am voting for. Alright, something we have all learned to deal with over the years and when the election is over so will these ads. No big deal. But when a young man or woman comes to my door asking me to pledge my vote I feel like I should get a tote bag or something! Not trying to put down PBS. PBS and telethons for childhood diseases asking for a pledge is fine. However, asking for my "pledge to vote," to me instead of playing up the importance of voting, it gives it a more desperate feel. The feel of a sales pitch. I am obviously a supporter, hence the reason I'm on their list. Besides their list, all the other supporters who have visited here have always gotten a warm welcome and an enthusiastic vote of confidence. So no need for a sales pitch here.

Who This Supporter Was
I am still pro-Sestak, don't get me wrong, I knew long ago who I was voting for. I also do not have a problem with the young man who came to my door. He was doing his best to do what he was told would be the right thing to do to help boost the voter outcome at the polls. That does not take away my opinion that this tactic may be more hurtful to some candidates than helpful. On the slip of paper given to me for my "pledge" is the website for the supporters who sent the door to door people. It is called Common Concerns Pa (click for website). Nothing wrong with the website itself, the typical he said she said that we have to endure through elections. On the bottom of the page though is the important (to me) statement. The disclaimer states: "www.CommonConcernsPA.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee."

Why This is Important to Remember
Unless it is the candidate themselves, which I have had here, do not let your opinion on the door to door tactics change your feelings on a candidate. Remember that these tactics aren't necessarily endorsed by the candidate. There are groups that feel strong about a candidate and assemble and come up with ways to try to get your vote. That's fine, hey its called a race right? However, even some of the best intentioned ideas have a negative outcome or project things in a way that are not appreciated.

http://www.commonconcernspa.org/
personal opinion