• • • YOU can STOP him!

• For a printable copy of this information CLICK Following Through: Making the All-Important Phone Calls to the Judiciary Committee — A really practical guide on how to make persuasive, effective and successful calls to the offices of the Judiciary Committee members

Impeach NOW• CALL NOWUPDATED 3 September 2008 — Impeach Groups — 10 June 2008 — by Keith Armonaitis — Remember you do this for something far greater than yourself — you do this because you love America and want to see it back to its former glory. — Today I printed out the [CLICK] House Judiciary Committee Members — so I could begin my calling campaign. We have toll-free phone numbers posted on our site here, numbers that connect you to the Capitol switch board, where an operator will connect you with every congress member’s office. There are more toll-free numbers available at CallCongress.org. You can call all House Judiciary Committee member offices, CLICK HERE — This site includes an instruction video. As I was doing this I realized that it is a difficult process, even for myself who is used to public speaking. I know that there are a lot of people who would be willing to make calls as well, but do not feel comfortable talking on the phone with someone they don’t know or are too tongue tied when talking about something they feel so passionately about. This can be especially true when talking to members on the other side of the aisle who will want nothing at all to do with impeachment. Here are some of the things I do before I make my calls:

REMEMBER THE MAIN REASONS FOR YOUR CALL
— When the capitol switchboard operator puts you through to the congress member’s office and the receptionist answers, you explain that you want to leave messages for the Chief of Staff and the Legislative Director for the representative. Ask their names and email addresses (the form is joan.smith@mail.house.gov) and ask if they’re available to talk to you. 99% of the time they won’t be. That’s okay; ask to be put through to the staff person’s voice mail, and you can leave your message, your name, address and email address. It never hurts to say “I would appreciate receiving an acknowledgment from you about my concerns.”

1 — I write down what I want to say — This helps me to not get flustered when I make my calls and allows me to stay focused even when my blood starts to heat up. Also — try rehearsing what you want to say a few times — you may think it might make you sound stilted — but after 40 calls you will sound that way anyway. Plus it will help you smooth out words that are difficult to say (like “House Judiciary Committee” — I dare anyone to say that three times fast!)

2 — I try to remain calm and respectful — I know that I am only talking to a staffer, but they are closer to the ear of the person I want my message to get to and even if they treat me like I am an idiot (this has only happened once) I refer back to my notes and stay focused. Even if I start to get upset I still stay respectful — and on message. It’s very good to tell the office receptionist you want to leave your message with him or her, and that “I want to leave my message with the representative’s Chief of Staff” voicemail — this means you get your words to the most important person in the congress member’s office. — Click the pics to read the rest! —

3 — Don't try to make all of your calls at once — This is incredibly difficult, especially if you are working. The bigger benefit though is that you won't get as discouraged - or feel like you are a telephone solicitor, which in a way you are.

4 — Break up your calling by switching to different sides of the aisle — Calling a bunch of people in a row who are against your request can be daunting — switch over to people on your side of the argument to help pick yourself back up again.

5 — Reward yourself at different points in the calling process — I found in my last batch of calls that calling Wexler's office and telling his staff what a Patriot I think he is really picked me back up after talking to four Republican Congressmen in a row.

6 — Tailor your message — I try to couch things as someone who is concerned for the Congressperson's side of the story. I DO NOT lie — but I have told Republicans that the only chance I think they have of retaining the White House this election cycle is to clean up their own mess and hold Bush and Cheney accountable by impeaching them. I believe this wholeheartedly.

7 — Never ever threaten — Even if you are a constituent never say that they will not get your vote next time — or anything worse — it discounts your message and allows them to put you in TO BE IGNORED file.

8 — Most important of all — Remember that you are doing this for something far greater than yourself — you are doing this because you love America and want to see it back to its former glory.

These are my suggestions — take them or leave them — I present them as what I do when I am making my calls. If you have any comments, additions, suggestions I am hear to listen. Please feel free to offer your comments. And please send a note telling who you called & the response to info@impeachthem.com. THANK YOU!!!

UPDATE — 3 September 2008 — by Mark Welyczko — There’s no downside to this strategy, and it only takes a few minutes. — IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPEACHING BUSH-CHENEY, PLEASE CONTACT EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND TELL THEM TO ASK THEIR CANDIDATES TO EITHER CO-SPONSOR REP. KUCINICH’S House Resolutions 333 / 799 / 1258 / 1345 — or to file separate impeachment bills themselves.

Tell them that this is the only way that they will get your vote.

With only several weeks to go, the one & only thing that will get the attention of the Democrats is to threaten to deny them your vote unless they Impeach.

I am not trying to discourage anyone, but the reality is that there is no chance of this congress — or the next — supporting or defending the Constitution unless we demand it.

If you have a Representative that has not signed up for Impeachment — this would include new Democratic Candidates who haven’t mentioned their support for Impeachment:

Simply email your Representative tell them that unless Congress starts Impeaching, then you will not give them any of your time or donations and you’re not going to vote for them.

Most important, include a “cc” to your Senators, your local and State Democratic Party Headquarters, the DNC, the DLC and also the Obama Campaign, so everyone in the Party will know your outrage.

I can’t express how important this step is. This cannot be a secret in order to be effective. The Party, as a whole, needs to realize how disgusted you are. Otherwise, if your Rep is the only one who knows of your descent, he or she will just ignore you.

Your refusal to vote for them must be known by the Party Leaders. This will combine our total from all the “Do Nothing Dems” Districts, giving us more numbers and credibility.

This is very simple and effective. Channel your passion to this Action and we might still have a chance. If you’re waiting for Conyers to do something, forget it. It isn’t going to happen.

ALL THEY NEED TO DO TO GET YOUR VOTE IS TO DO THEIR JOB!

After I contacted my Representative, I also contacted these other organizations.
DNC
DLC
County Democratic office
State Democratic office
Both of my Senators
one Democratic Candidate for Senate (Jeff Merkley, who is running against Republican incumbent Gordon Smith)
Obama Campaign
Republican Party
Working Family Party
Constitution Party
Libertarian Party
Pacific Green Party
Socialist Party
all Progressive Talk Show Hosts (Rhodes, Hartmann, Malloy, Schultz...)
all Veterans Organizations (Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq Vets Against the War...)
The DailyKos
Every Progressive group I can locate.
See also the story at http://www.impeachthem.com/?q=node/2078