The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
The Pullmann household over here in Indiana is as excited as everyone else about Paul Ryan's vice president candidacy. Now, I want to ask the more seasoned rightwing folks a question: Do we, or do we not, post a Romney/Ryan sign in our front yard?
The question is not "Do we support the Republican candidates," but, "Will none of our neighbors ever talk to us again?"
Here's some context. We moved into our new house (first-time homeowners!) three months ago. We have met the majority of our nearest neighbors, but haven't had any sustained conversations or anything like. And we live in the most Democratic part of our city. The neighbors are low-middle income, and there's a representative sampling of races. Also, our car has been robbed twice in the few months we've been here, both petty thefts (GPS and my wallet).
Point being, I don't want my new house spray-painted, or my neighbors to have a reason to not be neighborly. Do we put up the signs? And what about a bumper sticker on the twice-violated car?
--Joy
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Comments:
Aug '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Don't put up a yard sign if you think that it will endanger you or your family. You are the best judge of your neighbors and your neighborhood.
Nevertheless, yard signs are an enormously effective campaigning tool in some states -- particularly in local/county/or state legislative races. In Oregon where conservatives often feel totally isolated, the first yard sign up for a local candidate sends a signal to neighbors. The next yard sign goes up more easily, and soon there are many. It turns out many Oregonians (Republican, Democrat, and Independent) in the counties surrounding Portland, share the values of conservative candidates. They assume they are alone. When the signs go up they discover their neighbors and their neighborhood. We call it community organizing. It is also community building.
It is a slow process. We are in it for the long term.
It is an extremely effective tool for our candidates for the state legislature who have virtually no campaign funds, but who will tend to visit every home in the district and talk to people on their porches.
So in some situations yard signs do make a positive difference.
Aug '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I live in a liberal neighborhood, in the most liberal town in Indiana, Bloomington. I have lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. Most of my neighbors don't talk to me, because of my political views. Since you are a Ricohet member, I assume you are not going to be quiet about your political views. Neighbors will find out what your beliefs are, so go ahead and put out a sign. However, don't put out a Romney/Paul sign, they will take Indiana. The race for Senator must be won, and it is very close. Put out a Mourdock sign!
Oct '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
If there's no Obama signs up, in a heavy Democrat district, then maybe just maybe they've left the reservation and simply have reservations about broadcasting that fact. I say, put up the RR sign, and see how many of your neighbors follow suit!
Jan '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I lived in Alexandria, VA, across the river from Washington, DC. Dem's outnumber Republicans about 3 to 1. During the 2004 election I proudly put up my Bush/Cheney yard sign and started to engage the 25% of the block that were Republicans. By the election we have more signs out than the Dem's, and had Dem's still coming by for my block parties. (BTW, Block parties for the new family is a fun way to meet everyone - of course you host and pay for the libations).
Oct '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
This was my license plate 24/7 for 2 years (June 2009-June 2011), and I parked in Boston a number of times, in Provincetown (our extended family's vacation destination since the '70s, not that there's anything wrong with that) for 2-4 weeks over those 2 years, in NJ and upstate NY at times, etc. Over those 2 years I drove a total of 30,000-40,000 miles and suffered zero vandalism, while being "thumbs-upped" and the like innumerable times (positive conversations with strangers at gas stations, supportive notes on my windshield, people behind me at traffic lights taking cell phone pics of my plate, etc.).
Put up the sign!
Nov '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
This post is not directed at ThePullmans as I've already said that there are mitigating circumstances for them as in being new in the neighborhood, no other signs, etc. Also I don't put signs up or use bumper stickers but mostly because I can never bring myself, these days, to actually be for candidates. I might put up ABO stuff as we get closer, however.
Edited on August 17, 2012 at 3:43pmYesterday I listened to Lutzer speak on MoodyRadio/Janet Parshell concerning his book on the Lutheran Church and Germany. Every caller asked the eternal question of why 'normal' people just let this happen. His answer was fear for themselves and family. Real fear which we know started with the Brown Shirts and escalated to monstrosity. I think this is the same thing. If you admit this to yourself it is your duty to act in other ways (that we still have so far) to overcome it. Obviously I don't think the first one to bring this up loses the argument. It is just another way to make us shut ourselves up.
Nov '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I have an idea, but keep in mind I'm a shameless smart [profanity]. How about this: put up a sign that says "Steal me! Where I am there should be a Romney-Ryan yard sign, but my owner knows you'll steal that so he put me out instead!" That'll get something going for sure...
Nov '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Yard signs are tacky.