Canvassing Revisted-Not A Pretty Picture

[Libertytree]

SFG,

There are lots of idea's and ways to do what we're all talking about and we all do them in ways that are most conducive to the locale where we reside. We just have to keep at it, we CANNOT let up!!!

 

[crazyfacedjenkins]

It's so hard to say with Florida, the voters.ronpaul2008.com site came out very late and god knows there was a lot of fraud that most likely went down. I really hope canvasing makes a difference, because we have been doing it here in South Jersey for about 2 months straight.

 

[pennycat]

It's my opinion (I'm a precinct leader here in Florida), that the Precinct Leader program was about 1-2 months too late.

Agreed! But I am sure glad I got involved with canvassing. It really taught me a lot about how 'typical' voters view the political situation. I believe now more than ever that we are on to something, but that we CANNOT just run a commercial or pass out a slimjim. This is going to really require a grassroots effort of face to face contacts. Kinda like watching a crop grow. Won't happen overnight, but little by little... Ron Paul For The Long Haul!!

 

[pennycat]

Florida = old people

Umm, you are very incorrect on this. Florida is actually a perfect example of a broad based demographic state. Thus raising serious questions about the direction this rEVOLution must take.

 

[stevedasbach]

Canvassing is primarily about identifying your voters and getting them to the polls. If you only have 3% support overall, you aren't identifying many voters in your canvassing.

This is why the campaign needed to put a lot more resources into TV advertising. National TV ads, starting back in December, would have boosted Dr. Paul's national poll numbers, increasing his MSM coverage and making the canvassing more effective (more supporters to identify). It also would have increased our likelihood of finishing 3rd in Iowa and/or New Hampshire and would have made it harder for the MSM to marginalize him.

This is something we have to keep in mind for the future. At the presidential level, if people aren't seeing you on television, they assume that you can't win and the "wasted vote" syndrome takes hold.

 

[pennycat]

It's so hard to say with Florida, the voters.ronpaul2008.com site came out very late and god knows there was a lot of fraud that most likely went down. I really hope canvasing makes a difference, because we have been doing it here in South Jersey for about 2 months straight.

Man, you guys are awesome up in Jersey! I would really be interested in seeing your results. PM me if you like, I'd love to trade war stories and then dissect the results. Just keep a count on precincts that were canvassed and those that won't. Also keep a list of those that really are interested in RP. Not to see if they voted for him, but to be able to contact later for joining the movement.

 

[Libertytree]

The revolution is all encompassing. I know quite a few seniors that love the fact that I'm younger than they are (45) but "get it" when it comes to the Constitution, those older people love me and the energy I have for RP. They aren't as brainwashed as many of the middle agers are.

 

[XelR8r]

Your efforts were not a waste!

Now all those people have heard Ron Paul's message. The next step is to follow up with the canvassed after their candidate drives our country through the gates of hell, admonish them for being idiots and give them a chance to redeem themselves by supporting the next RP Rep. in their area.

 

[pennycat]

Canvassing is primarily about identifying your voters and getting them to the polls. If you only have 3% support overall, you aren't identifying many voters in your canvassing.

This is why the campaign needed to put a lot more resources into TV advertising. National TV ads, starting back in December, would have boosted Dr. Paul's national poll numbers, increasing his MSM coverage and making the canvassing more effective (more supporters to identify). It also would have increased our likelihood of finishing 3rd in Iowa and/or New Hampshire and would have made it harder for the MSM to marginalize him.

This is something we have to keep in mind for the future. At the presidential level, if people aren't seeing you on television, they assume that you can't win and the "wasted vote" syndrome takes hold.

I disagree, especially for this candidate. I think we should be primarily focusing on finding open minds, rather than just trying to get a one time vote. Please, let's be realistic. Winning the election, in my not so humble opinion, is not our primary objective. At first when I joined the rEVOLution in May of '07, I thought we could pull the ultimate upset and win it all. Now I'm still just as excited and hopeful. But I'm not trying to fool myself or others with false hopes. Instead I want to excite people about a spreading movement that will change the face of politics!

 

[AMack]

From my canvassing experiences, we've only targeted republicans and independent voters. IMO we should be targeting everyone. We've seen that this message attracts liberal voters as well as people who have never even registered to vote. There's a reason that some people say "Ron Paul cured my apathy"

Which is why when I'm on my own, I prefer to canvass everyone regardless of affiliation.

 

[AlexMerced]

the correct perspective

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=112256

 

[Libertytree]

"Which is why when I'm on my own, I prefer to canvass everyone regardless of affiliation."

Ding, Ding, Ding!

That's my POV AMack.

 

[stevedasbach]

I disagree, especially for this candidate. I think we should be primarily focusing on finding open minds, rather than just trying to get a one time vote. Please, let's be realistic. Winning the election, in my not so humble opinion, is not our primary objective. At first when I joined the rEVOLution in May of '07, I thought we could pull the ultimate upset and win it all. Now I'm still just as excited and hopeful. But I'm not trying to fool myself or others with false hopes. Instead I want to excite people about a spreading movement that will change the face of politics!

I agree. Winning the long-term battle is most important.

My point is that if you fail to maintain visibility on TV, the MSM can easily marginalize you, too many potential supporters write you off, all of which makes the grassroots stuff like canvassing much less effective.

Plus, a vigorous national TV ad campaign and higher poll numbers would have fired up Dr. Paul's supporters and enabled the campaign to raise a lot more money. Bottom line -- we reach more people and build more support with TV advertising than without it.

 

[crazyfacedjenkins]

From my canvassing experiences, we've only targeted republicans and independent voters. IMO we should be targeting everyone. We've seen that this message attracts liberal voters as well as people who have never even registered to vote. There's a reason that some people say "Ron Paul cured my apathy"

Which is why when I'm on my own, I prefer to canvass everyone regardless of affiliation.

Man I wanted to do that, but it was too late for NJ when we started canvasing. Although when I went to Democrat houses (by mistake) they HATED Ron Paul and and Republican for that matter. Even when we showed them that he was anti-war and fiscal conservative. They think the democrats are going to save the day.

 

[Thanehand]

Nobody wants to hear this, but it all boils down to media coverage. Whichever candidate gets the most media coverage will more than likely get the vote.

It doesn't matter how much you canvass if people are getting bombarded day-in and day-out with "McCain is the GOP candidate!" from all media outlets who also completely exclude Ron Paul.

Make no mistake, America is a country of sheeple and that the media has gotten away with manipulating our elections for so many years is proof as such.

 

[coffeewithchess]

Until the people in America hear RP's name mentioned every two seconds in the news, a lot of them don't see him as electable.

 

[Hancock1776]

Props to all for every minute and cent they spent promoting freedom. I, too, am excited about building a lasting coalition. Any ideas?

FREEOPLE

 

[Goldwater Conservative]

This really doesn't pertain to the idea that you can increase voter support by canvassing.

Ah, but voter support is not votes. You may have swayed many voters' hearts and minds, but they might have decided at the last minute to vote for a "winner" instead.

Florida = old people

There are a lot of them, but Paul still did very poorly among young people, getting single digits while McCain won the demographic (usually Paul gets about 20%). I bet a lot of them were otherwise leaning in favor of Paul but switched when push came to shove and they wanted to back a "winner."

 

[Redcard]

Ads buy media exposure.

We had no TV ads, we had no exposure. You can argue MSM blackout all you want.. every political science course and every study of the elections going back to the 60s has proven, if you buy TV time, you get MSM time.

If you do not buy TV time, you do not get noticed. Every election has shown this.

 

[Goldwater Conservative]

Ads buy media exposure.

We had no TV ads, we had no exposure. You can argue MSM blackout all you want.. every political science course and every study of the elections going back to the 60s has proven, if you buy TV time, you get MSM time.

If you do not buy TV time, you do not get noticed. Every election has shown this.

If Paul spent all his money on ads he'd probably still have disproportionately less time than the other candidates would even without ads. Don't underestimate the power of free media and prognosticators talking up given people as "having a chance."