Getting Out the Vote: How to Increase Turnout in 2004

Transcript

E.J. DIONNE, JR.: This is a great book. If you want to be a campaign manager, a candidate, a community organizer, this is the book for you. I loved reading this book, and I just want to give you a few selections.

The authors are not only exceedingly practical, but they also have a wonderful sense of humor, and they are very honest about their findings.

There is on page 36, a section that begins, "The message does not seem to matter much," and they are talking about door-to-door canvassing. Then they write, "We do not doubt, even without the benefit of experimental data, that running door to door in a chicken suit or mentioning your support for outlandish political causes would undermine your effectiveness, but within the range of reasonable behaviors, we do not see much evidence that what you communicate matters." I am sure we will hear more about that thought. That is for complete candor.

One of the core findings which I think is so important is at the end of that door-to-door canvassing chapter, and it is a very hopeful thought. Many non-voters need just a nudge to motivate them to vote, just a nudge, and imagine how much more political participation we could have.

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