But this time, with everyone's help, we can try to nail them doing it.
Phones
Look for the worst offenses to come via robocalls, push-polls, phony surveys conducted over the phone. Allen and friends will (correctly) expect that most people will not keep a record of the call and any accusations of wrong doing will only be hearsay from spotty memories. What you can do:
Keep a pen and paper near the phone. If you can't record the call, write down every fact that you can when it happens.
Time of call
Name of caller and caller's organization
Name of sponsoring organization (if different)
Caller ID if you've got it
Questions/Statements they ask/give
Anything else that seems noteworthy
Save any political messages on your answering machine. Don't hit the delete before you've listened to the entire message and determined that there is nothing underhanded in it.
Mailers
It's less likely that the real dirty tricks will come via mailers because it's too easy to save the evidence. But don't assume they won't try it. Take a very close look at every piece of Republican mail you receive. Things like:
In Person
It could be someone visiting your house, or at a public event such as a fair, parade, or show. Pay close attention to what is being said by an actual candidate and/or the people who represent them. Again, the weapon of choice is video/audio, so keep those video cameras and camera phones handy. And if you can't record it in some fashion do your best to write down every detail. Still photographs are also good where applicable.
If you do happen to experience one of these Allen dirty tricks, please pass it along to us at RK (poldir@raisingkaine.com), post your own diary describing your experience, and/or pass it along to the Webb campaign.
It's unlikely that we'll be able to stop these dirty tricks, but if we all stay vigilant and record everything as best we can we can make a difference.