2016 Liberty Candidates

[GunnyFreedom]

It hard to even raise 10k for state level races and even harder to raise awareness. We need to come up with a way to go about it differently. Maybe pick a state that we all agree on, run liberty candidates up and down the ticket at every level and push HARD on those races. Get liberty into every state one at a time.

That's 50 elections down the road before we get to the last State.

I think better would be to say, focus on 5 states in 2016, 10 States in 2018, 20 States in 2020, 40 States in 2022, and 50 States in 2024. That way everybody who invests can see the payoff.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I honestly see basic five services that are desperately needed amongst the political action wing of the liberty movement, that are already more or less performed by the establishment for themselves:


One org to elect liberty candidates to local offices around the nation. the 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 plan.

One org to reelect local liberty incumbents around the nation.

One org to fund the campaigns of liberty candidates around the nation.

One org to teach liberty candidates how to win their races on this platform, what to expect, and some discussion of tactics and strategies in races and debates.

One org to provide guidance to liberty people who get elected in order to help them be effective in their office and how to accomplish a liberty platform etc.


1 & 2 could probably be merged, but if you did that now you'd have your hands full with reelections and never make it to your first 5 States.

The establishment provides all of this to candidates of their ilk. Liberty provides basically none of this. If we did provide these services, not only would be we far more effective in office, but we would also elect more people to office.

 

[jurgs01]

I honestly see basic five services that are desperately needed amongst the political action wing of the liberty movement, that are already more or less performed by the establishment for themselves:


One org to elect liberty candidates to local offices around the nation. the 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 plan.

One org to reelect local liberty incumbents around the nation.

One org to fund the campaigns of liberty candidates around the nation.

One org to teach liberty candidates how to win their races on this platform, what to expect, and some discussion of tactics and strategies in races and debates.

One org to provide guidance to liberty people who get elected in order to help them be effective in their office and how to accomplish a liberty platform etc.


1 & 2 could probably be merged, but if you did that now you'd have your hands full with reelections and never make it to your first 5 States.

The establishment provides all of this to candidates of their ilk. Liberty provides basically none of this. If we did provide these services, not only would be we far more effective in office, but we would also elect more people to office.

Overall, a completely solid and tactical list of organization that would be amazing to have. The only thing I see missing is a guide for voting liberty (i.e., what Liberty Ballot provides).

Also, we need a marketing arm. One that is dedicated to distributing bits and pieces of our information out to those most likely to support that particular issue in an engaging message.

Between the two us, we need one General, seven Colonels, fourteen Lieutenants, and many foot soldiers. How to your propose we organize?

 

[invisible]

That's 50 elections down the road before we get to the last State.

I think better would be to say, focus on 5 states in 2016, 10 States in 2018, 20 States in 2020, 40 States in 2022, and 50 States in 2024. That way everybody who invests can see the payoff.

I would agree that there is an advantage to concentrating the effort. But the disadvantage would be that it favors some states, and could possibly discourage potential candidates in others. IMO, if efforts are going to be concentrated like this, it should be done in deep red or red-leaning districts, in the states where Ron Paul did best, or supporters had the biggest impact at the State Conventions. In no particular order, the ones that come to mind first are: IA, NH, NV, ME, OK, MN, LA, AZ, MO, AK. That's 10 states right there. Where would NC fall? And how would you feel if good candidates in your state (possibly including yourself) were told that they couldn't receive any support?

Gunny, you've also ignored my private requests for advice and your opinions on Duane C's race here in OK (who ran in a district with very similar demographics to your own), so I'll ask another question here in public this time: Why do you feel that his campaign failed as badly as it did? What did we do wrong here? Your campaign model was followed very closely, and the effort was put out. What can be done to avoid these sort of failures in swing districts, or those that lean slightly democrat?

 

[invisible]

Between the two us, we need one General, seven Colonels, fourteen Lieutenants, and many foot soldiers. How to your propose we organize?

Another very good question. Count OK as being solidly on board. As per my first post in this thread, this effort is already in the beginning stages of being organized here.

 

[invisible]

Between the two us, we need one General, seven Colonels, fourteen Lieutenants, and many foot soldiers. How to your propose we organize?

Another very good question. Count OK as being solidly on board. As per my first post in this thread, this effort is already in the beginning stages of being organized here.

 

[William Tell]

It hard to even raise 10k for state level races and even harder to raise awareness. We need to come up with a way to go about it differently. Maybe pick a state that we all agree on, run liberty candidates up and down the ticket at every level and push HARD on those races. Get liberty into every state one at a time.

Maybe some places, but a number of our Texas Liberty candidates and allies raised tens of thousands, even over 100 grand. Don Huffines raised over 1 million for his successful State Senate Race. We have 36 US Congress seats, but only 31 State Senate seats, so they are a big deal.

 

[William Tell]

That's 50 elections down the road before we get to the last State.

I think better would be to say, focus on 5 states in 2016, 10 States in 2018, 20 States in 2020, 40 States in 2022, and 50 States in 2024. That way everybody who invests can see the payoff.

Have you the funds for that?

 

[William Tell]

I would agree that there is an advantage to concentrating the effort. But the disadvantage would be that it favors some states, and could possibly discourage potential candidates in others. IMO, if efforts are going to be concentrated like this, it should be done in deep red or red-leaning districts, in the states where Ron Paul did best, or supporters had the biggest impact at the State Conventions. In no particular order, the ones that come to mind first are: IA, NH, NV, ME, OK, MN, LA, AZ, MO, AK. That's 10 states right there. Where would NC fall? And how would you feel if good candidates in your state (possibly including yourself) were told that they couldn't receive any support?

As far as I'm concerned, it has been proven by now that Ron Paul doing good percentage wise in a state means jack squat.
We have to look at where we have been winning races, and running competitive races. It really comes down to grassroots alliances and fundraising. It seems like most places suck at fundraising, we need to fix this somehow.

I am most familiar with politics in my state, we have a number of fiscal conservative groups who have helped fund liberty candidates. Surely other states have such groups and donors, this should be looked into.

 

[jurgs01]

It really doesn't have to be formal, but we need a person willing to take on every task and be that person for their state or effort. If you don't take it on, then that role remains vacant. If you do, know there are people willing to coordinate and do what it takes to help.

We are really an organization that works by volunteerism. People are as good as their effort. Our only uniting thread is our common cause. My suggestion is do it if you can, and take on what you are willing to continuously contribute to. If you step up and coordinate your intentions (and of course they adhere to liberty), we will work to step up to help and recruit others to do the same. We have the combination of intelligence, resources, and coordination that we can definitely influence a state race. We may even be able to tip the balance in a Federal House race. We probably should not focus on U.S. Senate races unless we have a solid candidate like Greg Brannon who is worth supporting win or lose.

 

[William Tell]

C4L is looking for county coordinators, they have the old lists of Paul people.

 

[jeffro97]

Great idea!

Let's see what the general public would think about this.

 

[Southron]

Been saying this since 2007.

Are you going to run again?

 

[invisible]

Are you going to run again?

Let's hope so! It would be great to see Gunny back in office!

 

[gnuschler]

It really doesn't have to be formal, but we need a person willing to take on every task and be that person for their state or effort. If you don't take it on, then that role remains vacant. If you do, know there are people willing to coordinate and do what it takes to help.

We are really an organization that works by volunteerism. People are as good as their effort. Our only uniting thread is our common cause. My suggestion is do it if you can, and take on what you are willing to continuously contribute to. If you step up and coordinate your intentions (and of course they adhere to liberty), we will work to step up to help and recruit others to do the same. We have the combination of intelligence, resources, and coordination that we can definitely influence a state race. We may even be able to tip the balance in a Federal House race. We probably should not focus on U.S. Senate races unless we have a solid candidate like Greg Brannon who is worth supporting win or lose.

It sounds like folks are talking about a grassroots organization with real leadership who can recruit, train, and mobilize grassroots efforts on behalf of liberty candidates and legislation. The obvious choice would be Campaign For Liberty, who, at least in Texas, is looking for county and regional directors. I am considering taking on such a role. I was not really involved in the presidential runs … does anyone have any thoughts about C4L? As far as I can tell, they have been largely absent in the recent mid-term elections (especially in Texas).

 

[William Tell]

It sounds like folks are talking about a grassroots organization with real leadership who can recruit, train, and mobilize grassroots efforts on behalf of liberty candidates and legislation. The obvious choice would be Campaign For Liberty, who, at least in Texas, is looking for county and regional directors. I am considering taking on such a role. I was not really involved in the presidential runs … does anyone have any thoughts about C4L? As far as I can tell, they have been largely absent in the recent mid-term elections (especially in Texas).

Yeah, my understanding is that C4L cannot endorse candidates. However, they do give them surveys and such. Example here:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...gislature-candidates-responses-to-C4L-surveys
But you can meet members of C4L and get them involved directly in politics outside of the organization. While using C4L to educate and inform.

 

[philipped]

This effort needs to be duplicated across all 50 states: Identify seats becoming open as early on as possible. Identify Ron Paul supporters in those districts, and recruit them to run. Then teach those candidates how to run, and polish them while there is plenty of time to do so.

I am ready to start picking people to run around my area.

How about listing everyone who won their races this year for starters? I know they have not announced for reelection, but it will keep their names in everyone's minds. We can update with whoever seeks higher office or retires. I have yet to see a full list of our people who won this year in local races. I know the candidates in my state, Shem, Nisley, and that's about it.

This could at least be a Liberty Incumbent thread for starters. We can call out 'our guys' if they vote contrary to their promises.

This thread needs to take place immediately.

 

[jurgs01]

Federal liberty candidates is up on the original post. We have two senate members and 13 house members that met our criteria for liberty candidate.

 

[William Tell]

Federal liberty candidates is up on the original post. We have two senate members and 13 house members that met our criteria for liberty candidate.

Are you going to paste their names into the thread at some point, or just leave the link?

 

[jurgs01]

Are you going to paste their names into the thread at some point, or just leave the link?

No way I'm updating multiple places again! Last time I tried that I had to have four windows open every time I made a change.

Oh, and Federal Fellow Travelers is up. Four senate members and seven house members made the cut. I have a few more on the pending list from the election, but we'll have to give them a few months to see their voting record as they left quite a few positions in question.