Friends + family holiday discussions are the most persuasive

[firebirdnation]

My wifes family came over tonight and they are die hard democrats. Eventhough they agree with RP on the majority of issues, they just can't get past the party politics, but I already knew this and didn't push the issue. At least my wife is on the right side!

 

[Matt Collins]

This is encouraging

 

[Trigonx]

//

 

[rooteroa]

I didn't even bother with my neo-con family. Would have ended in disaster. Lol.

 

[thechitowncubs]

I got 2 Texans and 10 illinoisians!

WOOHOO FOR LIBERTY!

 

[Solas]

I sat my grandparents down to watch Meet The Press with Tim Russert on Christmas Eve and that was all it took. At the conclusion of the interview, they were very impressed. They told me they agree with him 100% and commented that it was no wonder the media doesn't cover him and that they had never heard of him. (they're not all that internet savvy) Of course, they have always been independent thinkers, and while they have always kept up with politics, they have never voted.

On the other hand, a visit to my grandparents on my dad's side of the family a couple nights ago was a different story. I asked my grandmother if she had been keeping up with the political scene lately, and the first thing out of her mouth was "I think Ron Paul is an idiot." as I'm thinking to myself "wth, where'd that come from?". I told her right then that I was a supporter. She pretty much quieted at that point. After explaining many of Ron Paul's views in-depth she started to become much more agreeable and claimed to agree with 90% of his views but still couldn't support him because, "he doesn't have a chance, and he doesn't support the war". She couldn't accept that 9/11 was a result of our own foreign policy. Remind you of anyone? My dad also fits into this category. My mom is just outright oblivious/apathetic.

 

[kushaze]

I converted my neocon brother in KY today. (he was supporting Guiliani) I also have an 18 year old daughter who has a million (okay maybe not a million) friends, most of whom aren't registered to vote and really don't care about it. So, I picked up about 20 voter registration forms at the post office and whenever a new one shows up at my house I ask if they're registered and what they think of RP. Almost all of them fill out the form and register republican, and have agreed to go vote for RP if I take them on election day. So it looks like I'm going to have a van full. I'm in NY so the deadline to change partie's has passed but if you've never been registered you have til sometime in January to register.

Thats awesome!!!

 

[Hangly Man]

My family is full of very patriotic Mormons, so they'll vote Romney no matter what.

I wish I had someone to influence

I think I converted my Chinese wife, but first I had to explain what an election is. Anyway it doesn't matter because she can't vote.

 

[JGalt]

I've converted 2 friends(who have converted a few others) who are in high school, but will be able to vote in the KY primary. They were both Democrats. I've also brought one neocon uncle into the fold(and loaned him a copy of A Foreign Policy of Freedom), and I'm working on another, who is a city commissioner. Of course, both are very politically astute; one was a Giuliani supporter, and the other is still kinda supporting Huckabee.

The line that has seemed to work best for me: "I'm not wasting my vote when I vote for someone who shares my principles. Those people who vote for candidates that somebody else calls electable are wasting their votes by betraying their principles and their country."

 

[wildflower]

I converted my cousin tonight. But she's the type that's not interested in politics at all, she hasn't been following the race, so I couldn't believe how easy it was.

I asked her who she was voting for, and she said she didn't know yet and that she hasn't had time to look into the candidates.

I told her to vote for Ron Paul and I just talked about him for a few minutes, and she said, "Ok, I'll vote for him."



I was surprised, but like I said, she's not into politics...she just wanted to vote for a Republican. But I think she trusts my opinion and knows that I'm really into politics.

I also talked a lot longer with my other cousin (her brother) and it went pretty well. So he's a potential voter... I'll have to email him some RP videos to look at.

I'm still working on my parents. I think my mom will end up voting for him.

 

[enjoiskaterguy]

persuading people can be difficult.

1st step: Give them a copy of America: Freedom to Facism(you can buy it in bulk for $1.25 a piece at the main website)

2. call them up a week later and ask them if they watched it

3. if yes, inform them about Ron Paul. After watching that film, ANYONE will be willing to listen to you about an honest presidential candidate.

4. Point out that Ron Paul was the only congressmen interviewed in that film or presidential candidate for that matter. That can be very powerful.

 

[Matt Collins]

Any other success or failure stories?

Any plans for NYE conversations?

 

[sandman223]

I couldn't get anyone in my family to vote for RP in the primaries because they were reluctant to change parties from their independent status, but if RP manages to win the GOP nomination and goes up against a dem, I've got my entire household (4 people) voting for him.

 

[mosquitobite]

I really wonder how many Democrats and Independents will be voting for him.

I think plenty will. I think this is why the media is now suddenly trying to push McCain this week. One of two things is happening 1) the precincts are seeing a rise in independents and democrats switching to Republican so they, falsely, believe they must be coming to support McCain or 2) they're trying to get the independents to go for McCain because they realize Dr Paul is favored by them.

Not sure, but either way it's definitely an interesting race!

 

[Maltheus]

I spend the holidays in NY (I live in Colorado) and I've been surprised by how easy it is to get people to agree with his positions. Granted, my father will vote democrat no matter what at this point, but he was talking up the MTP interview more than I was this Christmas, saying that Paul was saying what he's always thought (on international issues anyway).

The wife of one of my best friends was talking to me about politics like she was out of some staunch libertarian Ron Paul meetup group. She could write Paul's speeches for him, she's such a perfect match. I said to her, "oh, you must be voting for Ron Paul then," and she said that she didn't really know much about him. It's too late for her to vote in the primaries (as she just recently re-registered to independent from republican), but she'll be a solid convert in no time (ex-military too). I've been getting somewhere with her husband, so I'm hoping she can finish up the job for me.

I was told not to bring up politics with the neighbors on Christmas eve, giving how neo-connish they are. The once said that Bush was the best president ever. I figured I could handle them and twist their logic to show them that Paul is a better fit. I didn't have to twist or argue anything. They don't think he's got a chance, but they like him plenty (and no other Republicans).

One guy I was tying to convert, the last time I was home in the summer, is no longer a doubter. He use to think Paul didn't have a shot, and now he's been shocked by all the support. There have been other positive responses as well.

I think if we had a little more time, electing Paul would be almost effortless. The biggest problem right now is that people still don't know anything about him. If it wasn't for the media blackout, there isn't a question in my mind that we would win this thing. And the media is precisely who I will blame if we don't win it. I consider them a far bigger threat to us than big government or massive corporations, and if things ever come to a head in this country, I hope that they are the first ones to be taken down.

 

[davver]

It is so hard when your father is a neo-con and every sentence ends with the terrorists are going to get us.

 

[FreeTraveler]

I couldn't get anyone in my family to vote for RP in the primaries because they were reluctant to change parties from their independent status, but if RP manages to win the GOP nomination and goes up against a dem, I've got my entire household (4 people) voting for him.

Go get 8 copies of the party change form. Have them each fill out two, one to Republican, and one back to Independent. Promise to personally deliver the Republican ones to the courthouse now, and the Independent ones the day after the primary.

 

[shadowhooch]

I mailed a flyer I made to every single family member before Christmas. When they all came to visit Christmas day (about 30 of them), they had all read it.

But their main point of contention was....."I've never heard of him. Why don't you vote for someone who has a chance."

I tried to convince them that he does (citing Independent voters, straw polls, etc). But they are taking the "we'll see" approach. Ron Paul's early primary results are going to be HUGE in determining how well he does on Super Tuesday (Feb 5th). That's when Missouri votes. I can see that being the main determining factor on whether my family members will bother to vote for Ron Paul.

But at l least they liked him as I made them all watch "Stop Dreaming". Depending on the Iowa and NH results, I have my next mailer to them ready to go.....

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=63915

 

[jdmetz]

I also had contacted family members before hand - I sent them an e-mail with my main reasons for supporting Ron Paul, and a selection of Ron Paul youtube videos. I was discouraged after sending it since only one family member responded, so it was quite a pleasant surprise when people started asking me about him at our Christmas gathering.

If your family is worried about chaning parties to vote, first check to see if they live in semi-open primary states (all my family does, MI, WI, and TN), then if they do need to be registered Republican, assure them they can change back immediately.

Some members of my family were also worried that voting in the Republican primary would commit them to voting for the Republican in the general election no matter who gets the nomination. Since they are willing to support Ron Paul, but not some of the other Republicans this would be a big deal to them, so I had to assure them that their primary vote didn't affect who they could vote for in the general election.

 

[Matt Collins]

This is also encouraging too