[lbo-talk] Iraq war "clearer" to Americans than WW 2

[Dennis Perrin]

> Sorry guys-- I started my political life going to door-to-door, talking to
> new people about consumer and enviro issues.  Most serious union
organizing
> is based on door-knocking as well at potential members doors.
>
> The denigration of door knocking and the attached organizing is the exact
> problem I see with a left that prefers to talk to itself at rallies or in
> its existing media circle rather than reach out to new people.
>
> -- Nathan Newman

I'd never denigrate door knocking. It's tough work. I did it briefly in the
early 80s for SANE/Freeze, going door to door in Long Island neighborhoods
with a DSAer (and Harrington disciple) at my side. It was brutal. For every
signature or promise of money we got, there were at least 10 angry fuckers
who called us Soviet stooges, chased us off their property, or slammed the
door in our faces. One rightwinger I remember was calmer. He told us that we
were playing the Soviet game, and that if we really loved America, we'd work
for Jack Kemp. He then gave us some articles by Kemp, mostly economics, but
some national security stuff, and I recall admiring how he canvassed us
without leaving his home.

DP