FWIW, staffers are pretty used to people being a bit incoherent/nervous. A whole lot of people are. They're also used to being BLASTED by the wingnut ranters, so whenever it's clear you're not going to scream at them, it's automatically a bit of goodwill.

The effort it takes for you is an important consideration, I think. Emails or off-hour phone calls are both legit. I've been sending postcards, and I'm pretty psyched about the Pink Slip idea for the Ides of March. (Everyone sends the Prez a pink slip that day, until his office is flooded.) But whatever works right now, I say.