Case Study: Human Rights Campaign Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal, Part 4

HRC also learned that canvassing overall didn't work too well for the repeal of DADT. While it was successful in D.C., it didn't do so hot overall, and after two months, HRC stopped using canvassing for DADT.

It was also challenging to keep hope alive for the repeal and keeping people engaged.

"There was a moment in time when there was a lot of confusion in the public with what was happening with DADT because the path of the bill becoming a law was so windy in this case," Paine shares. "Once it passed in the House, there was a lot of hoopla and celebrating; the public didn't necessarily know there was another huge hurdle to get through."