Unbelievable...

[VeloVT]

I wasn't upset about getting a political telemarketing call, nor am I judgemental about the telemarketer herself (who was an older lady with a decidedly American accent). I have actually organized these campaigns for an organization I worked for, and they reliably bring in a lot of money and cost a lot less than other fundraising methods -- I'm not against their existence.

I just objected to being told to "put it on a credit card" after I said I couldn't afford it. If she had said, "oh, anything you could do would be helpful, even $15 dollars, even $10" I wouldn't have been upset (though I still wouldn't have made the contribution, because I really can't justify making contributions right now) -- it was just such a bad message for Emily's List to be sending...

[kermit]

We get those all the time. I have donated to a couple of charities and I swear they give out your number to everyone. We got one the other night, a guy called for me and fortunately my husband answered. Hello, can I speak to Laurel.... who's calling, is this the guy f**king my wife? What is your name (screaming). Needless to say I was on the floor and I don't think he will be calling back. They HAVE to know when they take that job that it's game on.

[TsPoet]

I just objected to being told to "put it on a credit card" after I said I couldn't afford it. If she had said, "oh, anything you could do would be helpful, even $15 dollars, even $10" -- it was just such a bad message for Emily's List to be sending...

Actually, that line in your original post caused me to have to clean coffee off my computer screen. I'm just glad it spurted out my mouth and not my nose.
What a ridiculous (and irresponsible) thing to say. She should have just said "I'm sure you have CC debt, you won't notice a little bit more"!
You should have said "if you feel that way, why don't you contribute off of YOUR credit card in my name?" - assuming you'd want your name associated with her cause.
And then I agree with Zen, you could have finished it off with something like, you could contribute off your CC, if you are wearing cotton underwear, are you?

[emily_in_nc]

We have gotten many calls from "Unknown Number" recently. They hang up before the answering machine clicks in, so I am sure it's political telemarketing. I have already donated to the campaign I am supporting, and have early voted, so I just don't answer the phone when they come calling. It's not worth the life energy....

[BikeDutchess]

The other day I got an automated call that said "please wait for information about an important business matter" - usually I hang up right away but I was waiting for the kettle to boil so just kept listening. I was on hold for a minute or so and then got a message stating something like "all our representatives are busy" and asking me to "press 1 if you would like to continue to hold". Now why in the world would I want to keep holding for a call I didn't initiate and I had no clue what it was about???

But back to the OP - I agree that credit card response was ridiculous.

[Irulan]

I always ask them to take me off their list, and let them know it's a federal offense to call someone who is registered on the do not call registry. Yes, I know it's for commercial solicitations and not politics/non profits but to me that's besides the point.

I love having caller ID. It makes it really easy to ignore the calls I don't want to get.