My fellow Vets:
Today we vets are campaigning door-to-door in Colorado to get those undecided voters to choose Barack Obama for President. Depending on the neighborhood, I know that this will be a tough challenge - not only to convince some hard-core Republicans that we have the better candidate, but for the things you might have shot at you by some of the less tactful members of the electorate.
I've heard the comments they make - that you're a traitor, that you're not really a vet, or an American. They get angry, indignant and insulting. They probably are not going to change their mind, and they're more than willing to degrade and demean you.
You have every reason to fire back at them - but don't.
The way we can win this election is to reach down and embrace the military discipline that all of us have ingrained within ourselves. The more insulting and angry they get, the more calm and reasoned we must be. Because they expect us to answer their insults in kind, if we stay calm and reasoned, THAT plants the doubt we need to change their minds.
Normally, veterans treat each other with dignity and respect, even if we have opposing political viewpoints. That's because of our shared experiences and sacrifices. Most of the citizens of this state recognize this, and will give us a moment to listen to what we have to say.
When we go door-to-door or phone bank, that opening statement of "hi, I'm with Veterans for Obama" will normally give you an edge, for a moment, with most voters in Colorado. You can take advantage of that moment by being calm and reasoned, even in the face of skepticism and anger.
THAT's the Force Multiplier we give the Obama campaign, and we need to make sure we use it every chance we get.
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