CAMPAIGN TRAIL ENGAGEMENT TIPS
Debates, town hall meetings and other election season events provide a valuable opportunity to reach and educate elected officials and candidates for office. We need your help by attending these events and speaking about the need for our federal government to better fulfil our promises to the men and women who served.
Ask Questions
Most campaign events provide an opportunity for those in the audience to ask a question. Questions asked should be viewed as both an opportunity to educate candidates and encourage their support on an issue. Here are sample questions we encourage you to ask:
- One year ago, on October 1, 2013, the federal government shut down. For 16 days, tens of millions of Americans and veterans were left in limbo. While a shutdown has been averted this year, routinely late budgets cause huge disruptions for the VA. Are you in favor of passing advance appropriations legislation that would guarantee veterans are protected from this toxic cycle of gridlock by approving all of the VA’s budget a year in advance as is currently done for VA medial operations?
- I believe the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 is a good first step toward rebuilding the VA. However, more work needs to be done to reverse years of inadequate budgets. While the bill provided a $5 billion down payment to increase the VA’s capacity, I want to know if you support providing the remainder of the VA’s $17.6 billion request for additional resources. This is money needed to hire new clinical staff, undertake major repairs and lease additional clinics.
When asking a question, you should introduce yourself and express why you have an interest in veterans’ issues.
Bring a Sign
Signs provide a great way to deliver key messages at a campaign event. Here are some sample slogans you can use when making a sign:
- Protect Vets from DC Gridlock
- End the late congressional budgets that put veterans at risk
- Protect our veterans. Support the Putting Veterans Funding First Act
- Increase the VA’s capacity. Keep the promise
Follow Rules of Nonpartisanship
DAV is non-partisan organization; we do not favor any particular party or candidate for office. When you are speaking as a DAV member or leader, you should not indicate your support or opposition to any particular party or candidate.
Video your Engagement
Video is a powerful tool for promoting supporter engagement and holding candidates accountable. We encourage you to use your smart phone or another device to record your interactions on the campaign trail. Once you post your video online, please send an email with a link to [email protected].
Report Back to DAV
We want updates on your engagement and the responses you receive. Email us at [email protected].