What is bird-dogging?
bird-dog (bûrd'-dôg), v. To follow, monitor and/or seek out a subject of interest, such as a public official,
HOW TO BIRD-DOG
1) Arrive Early
In situations where there is a question and answer period, it will be important for you to be close enough to the candidate so that you are in his or her line of sight.
2) Have Your Question Ready
Make certain your question is brief, fact based, and direct. See sample questions below.
3) Ask Your Question Early
If you indicate early interest, you are more likely to be called on.
4) Stick Your Hand Out
Candidates often walk through the crowd shaking hands and pausing for brief conversations. Be ready for these one-on-one opportunities.
5) Know the Candidate's Positions
Ask a question that shows you know something about the candidate's position or past voting record, and that you want to know more. Don't waste your opportunity by asking a "softball" question, but choose a topic that you want him or her to move on and formulate a question on that topic.
6) Be Calm and Reasonable
Maintaining a respectable tone will bring a more positive response from the candidate, their staff, and the media, if they are present.
7) Speak with the Media
Generally speaking, journalists like to speak to folks who have asked the candidate a question. Remember to stay on message when talking to reporters by talking about the issue that is important to you. For example, if the reporter asks "what do you think of Senator Firefly?" respond "We need him be a leader for fair trade." Don't be afraid to approach reporters even if they have not approached you.
8) Share What You Have Learned:
After the event is over, pass on to others what you have learned by using your own email lists and send a report to sarah@mainefairtrade.org
SAMPLE QUESTIONS for fair trade and economic justice:
· Do you support reviewing and renegotiating NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement? What about CAFTA?
· Do you support permanently eliminating the Fast Track trade promotion authority, and giving Congress a larger role in deciding the contents of trade agreements?
· Do you support enforcing labor rights and environmental standards the same way we enforce commercial provisions in trade agreements?
· Will you cosponsor Congressman Michaud’s TRADE Act of 2008? (Note- Rep. Allen and Rep. Michaud already sponsors)
· Free Trade Agreements like NAFTA encourage companies to move overseas to places where they don’t follow environmental standards. Additionally, the investor provisions in the agreements allow companies to undermine our local work to pass much needed environmental laws to combat global warming. If elected, what will you do to make sure international trade is better for the environment?
Tips for successful bird-dogging on trade
Be assertive. Candidates have very busy schedules and usually take only a few questions from audiences during public appearances. In order to be heard, be sure to get in line or raise your hand immediately when it’s time for questions. A quick question during a meet-and-greet session or other public appearance also is effective.
Be polite. It is possible – and necessary – to be assertive and polite at the same time!
Be direct. Don’t give a long explanation of your question. While you will want to set up your question, the goal of bird-dogging is to force a candidate to respond to an important issue on the record.
End with a very specific question. Politicians love avoiding difficult issues, so make sure to ask a clear and specific question to ensure that they address the issue you are interested in. If you feel like the candidate didn’t answer your question, ask it again.
There’s nothing to it but to do it: Go out and bird-dog on the trade issue!