New Hampshire Presidential
Primary Project
Making Peace a Presidential Priority
See a Slideshow of our Presidential Primary Activities!
The AFSC-NH Presidential Primary Project
New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary provided a unique opportunity to raise public awareness and shape the nation's political direction on key issues. The AFSC-NH Program used this opportunity to mobilize grassroots activists to interact with presidential candidates to let them know we don't want war, that we want a fair and equitable global economy, and that our society must not continue to leave behind the most vulnerable.
For two years leading up to the January 8,
2008 primary election, AFSC-NH encouraged
activists to "bird-dog"
the candidates on key issues. In so doing, we
found out where the candidates stood, raised
public awareness, and shifted the debate in the
direction of peace and social justice.
The
AFSC is a non-partisan organization. The
purpose of the Presidential Primary Project was
not to tell voters whom to support or oppose,
but to educate the candidates, inform the
public, shift the terms of debate, and improve
the health of the democratic system.
Throughout the Primary campaign season, AFSC-NH provided training on key issues and bird-dogging skills. In the final six months of the primary season, we focused on the cost of the Iraq war (http://www.afsc.org/cost/). And for the last four days of campaigning, AFSC and NH Peace Action (http://www.nhpeaceaction.org/) brought the Yellow Rose of Texas Peace Bus to New Hampshire to bring our message to campaign events throughout southern New Hampshire.
According to dictionary.com, a bird-dog is one of any of various breeds of dogs trained to hunt or retrieve birds. But it also can mean a person hired to locate special items or people. As a verb, "to bird-dog" means "to follow, watch carefully, or investigate." We use the term to refer to activists who seek out the candidates, pin them down with specific questions or information, and retrieve their views.To get involved with the AFSC-NH Presidential Primary Project, contact any of the AFSC-NH Staff.
Feb. 6, 2007