Conference Call - Jan 14th 2008

[ghemminger]

my two cents:

we do not need, nor should the campaign, any centralized effort within or among the grassroots to direct efforts here or there. Each state, each city and then county has different needs, different challenges and different supporters.

what needs to happen is that LOCAL grassroots leaders and LOCAL campaign leaders need to build that bridge between themselves and get working together fast. THis means phone-banking, this means knocking doors and becoming precinct captains.

the majority of us simply have no need to be concerned with what the next ad will be, although if we really do have strong opinions we should have a way to voice them and know the campaign is listening. This already exists.

All politics is local. Politics belongs to those who show up. Canvassing wins votes - everything else is just noise. These are three quotes that continue to refocus me on how I should be approaching victory in Washington, and what I should be encouraging others to do.

Yes! - to an open line of communication and a campaign representative that will report back to the grassroots answers to our concerns and questions.

No! - to a centralized grassroots "committee" (definitely a euphamism) because the grassroots needs to focus and work with the campaign locally, not nationally.

Free - you are mistakin - National Campaigns are won nationally - good luck with your local work though...

 

[SteveMartin]

We could all use a little reality check. The fact is, RP is being BLACKED out totally on the MSM now--even on CNN, who gave us a brief spurt of publicity prior to NH. That is in part due to the very poor effort the campaign has made to coordinate with the media--even in the simple things, like posting RP's events calendar in the AP date book.

They have stiffed many media people for pre-arranged interviews. That stuff is just plain inexcusable.

I would hazard to guess that 90% of those with concerns about national HQ would have agreed with 90% of what was brought up with HQ on the conference call. No one here is doing this out of any desire to "take over" or to pump themselves up at the expense of others. These folks on the call are all (to the best of my knowledge--and I've spoken to all of them many times) trying to do ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY--Get Dr. Paul elected. They are acting out of an honest sense of patriotism, as best as I can tell.

I wish I could be sure that getting Dr. Paul elected was the #1 goal of everyone in Arlington, but, at this point in time, I can not say that...and that scares the heck out of me.

 

[liberteebell]

Good grief people. Don't ya'll understand that this campaign is in big trouble, with a capital T?

Do you know that scheduled media appearances and press conferences have been canceled with no explanation? That Paul has no support in refining his presentation so that middle America "gets it?" Do you understand that there have been lost opportunities for this campaign, most likely due to ineptness and inexperience?

Yes, I know Paul has run for Congressman and as the Libertarian candidate for President. But this is different. This is the big time, and we are not winning. We should be winning.

I don't care who does the speaking for grassroots, and I don't care about anyone's ego. I want Ron Paul to win this race.

+1,000,000

 

[Troyhand]

Hold on.
I imagine an Executive-level Super-Duper-structured High-N-Mighty Mega-review Board with well-experienced emotionally-mature diplomatically-driven members such as Ghemminger and Menthol Patch (lol. I'm nearly peeing myself thinking of it.)
I imagine all these wonderful, humble, selfless souls sharing the thoughts of the grassroots rationally and creatively to campaign headquarters. I imagine all our finest loudmouths together in one group speaking for our needs and concerns.
LMAO!
Then I imagine that the moment such a ridiculous farce is formed, practically every member of this forum sending out the same email to the campaign saying basically the same thing, "Please ignore these insecure little powertrippers. They don't speak for us."

I change my mind. I think it's brilliant. What a great way to assemble the people, that we should definitely not be listening to, all in one place. Kudos!

 

[free.alive]

Ghemminger, per your response I see you are the one who is mistaken - that is if you deny that a national campaign is won state-by-state, and each state within the counties or congressional districts. In fact politics and the political process can vary so greatly from state to state that a grassroots must understand their local political process and be able to influence it.

The campaign must work nationally, yes, but the grassroots should be focused locally in each state.

But tell me -

If you will be wresting this mantle or title from the ranks of grassroots supporters, what is your purpose? what specific things will you be doing? How do the tens of thousands of us know you will be responsive to us? How do we know you and others aren't just trying to make names for yourselves? And furthermore, how can we even be sure this is a good idea?

These are legitimate questions and must be answered to our satisfaction of you expect support from many others.

Many people do prefer leaders, but those who know better will lead themselves.

 

[ghemminger]

Right now Steve what seemed to be an unstoppable juggernaught of a grassroots movement has ben stopped in it's course by misdirection and lack of communication. We we right the ship or continue to "re-arrange deck chairs on the Titanic'?

Some of our biggest financial supporters are leaving us - We need to listen!

 

[ghemminger]

Ghemminger, per your response I see you are the one who is mistaken - that is if you deny that a national campaign is won state-by-state, and each state within the counties or congressional districts. In fact politics and the political process can vary so greatly from state to state that a grassroots must understand their local political process and be able to influence it.

The campaign must work nationally, yes, but the grassroots should be focused locally in each state.

But tell me -

If you will be wresting this mantle or title from the ranks of grassroots supporters, what is your purpose? what specific things will you be doing? How do the tens of thousands of us know you will be responsive to us? How do we know you and others aren't just trying to make names for yourselves? And furthermore, how can we even be sure this is a good idea?

These are legitimate questions and must be answered to our satisfaction of you expect support from many others.

Many people do prefer leaders, but those who know better will lead themselves.

We are taking your thoughts into consideration.... and btw it's called "trust"

 

[free.alive]

You're one and only task should be to identify local leaders and get them to get their meetup members and other RP supporters out canvassing, finding more people, getting them registered and to the polls or caucuses.

Any other goal of yours is spinning your wheels and a waste of discussion. I'm out-

 

[Dlynne]

Thank you Dlynne - we are hoping for a executive level grassroots board to be commisioned to help make Ron Paul make some very difficult decsions....soon

I don't know if we need a executive level grassroots board, or not. I do know that Paul needs a professional national campaign strategist and a professional media coordinator NOW. As one other poster said, we are running out of time.

 

[ghemminger]

I don't know if we need a executive level grassroots board, or not. I do know that Paul needs a professional national campaign strategist and a professional media coordinator NOW. As one other poster said, we are running out of time.

Ron Paul will , in the next few days have the information to make some very hard executive level decsions... if he needs a grassroots board to help give him support we are ready!

 

[Stealth4]

Trust you?

Based on what? This thread here http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=52196 where you made so many friends by telling us nothing but acting like you knew a big secret? How many times have you said you knew a secret and you were wrong?

right - lets trust you ghemminger. I'd rather trust Rudy Giuliani than you.

 

[Dlynne]

We could all use a little reality check. The fact is, RP is being BLACKED out totally on the MSM now--even on CNN, who gave us a brief spurt of publicity prior to NH. That is in part due to the very poor effort the campaign has made to coordinate with the media--even in the simple things, like posting RP's events calendar in the AP date book.

They have stiffed many media people for pre-arranged interviews. That stuff is just plain inexcusable.

(snip)

I wish I could be sure that getting Dr. Paul elected was the #1 goal of everyone in Arlington, but, at this point in time, I can not say that...and that scares the heck out of me.

I agree with this 100%. I also have questioned the motivations of some of the people around him....Not because I know any of them, but because there can be no logical explanation for some of the actions this campaign has taken.

I do know some media people, and I can tell you that the Paul campaign has a reputation for being snobs. I do NOT believe this is due to Ron Paul himself.

 

[ghemminger]

Trust you?

Based on what? This thread here http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=52196 where you made so many friends by telling us nothing but acting like you knew a big secret? How many times have you said you knew a secret and you were wrong?

right - lets trust you ghemminger. I'd rather trust Rudy Giuliani than you.

Stealth please tell me you are intelligent to know the diff. between satire and truth - I am getting tired of all these responses - no wonder the campaign doesn't talk you negative posters - are you guys the ones calling up and yelling/cussing at staff?

 

[BreakYourChains]

Your welcome Hamadeh - and I will continue to fight for truth even though many are are trying vehemently to silence those that fight for Liberty!

Sorry, didn't have time to read the entire 9 pages of posts. But, what I did do quickly was check out http://ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/.

This is one of the HUGE problems with this campaign, and the people who are running it! One Press Release on the 8th, and none until today, the 14th? Give me a break, no wonder there is a media blackout! There is nothing for them to write or report about, unless of course they are digging up dirt. This is the problem with our campaign. It is not being handled professionally. And, I am not a naysayer, but I can see what is happening.

Hopefully, something will change soon, before it is too late to turn things around.

 

[ghemminger]

I agree with this 100%. I also have questioned the motivations of some of the people around him....Not because I know any of them, but because there can be no logical explanation for some of the actions this campaign has taken.

I do know some media people, and I can tell you that the Paul campaign has a reputation for being snobs. I do NOT believe this is due to Ron Paul himself.

THANK GOD! an intelligent person on this thread who can think for himself...try it negative posters - I know it's hard but we' will wait for all of you to catch up....

 

[ghemminger]

Sorry, didn't have time to read the entire 9 pages of posts. But, what I did do quickly was check out http://ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/.

This is one of the HUGE problems with this campaign, and the people who are running it! One Press Release on the 8th, and none until today, the 14th? Give me a break, no wonder there is a media blackout! There is nothing for them to write or report about, unless of course they are digging up dirt. This is the problem with our campaign. It is not being handled professionally. And, I am not a naysayer, but I can see what is happening.

Hopefully, something will change soon, before it is too late to turn things around.

Wow more logic and smartz! I'm being swayed!!!

 

[Jane Aitken]

The campaign just hired someone to communicate with the grassroots. The first thing he did was call me and I spoke to him and posted about it on the DP. I told him my concerns about NH, voting, the message, the fact that people didn't even know which ballot to choose until the NEWSPAPERS told them.

Second, what good does it do to speak to the person you want to oust? Who would you suggest run the campaign instead of the current people? They have worked with Ron for years.

 

[Vizacar]

Sorry, didn't have time to read the entire 9 pages of posts. But, what I did do quickly was check out http://ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/.

This is one of the HUGE problems with this campaign, and the people who are running it! One Press Release on the 8th, and none until today, the 14th? Give me a break, no wonder there is a media blackout! There is nothing for them to write or report about, unless of course they are digging up dirt. This is the problem with our campaign. It is not being handled professionally. And, I am not a naysayer, but I can see what is happening.

Hopefully, something will change soon, before it is too late to turn things around.

This release from today also says...
In Illinois, Dr. Paul has delegate candidates on the IL Republican ballot in all 19 Congressional districts. Additionally, the most recent Rasmussen Reports poll places Ron Paul in third position in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, at 14 percent.

??? Does it sound like it was a poll from before the NH primary? Wow that is

 

[Troyhand]

Troy just because you have 500 posts doesn't mean you are a well meaning 3rd party troll

It DOESN'T mean that? Glad to here it. Although I'm guessing you're still namecalling even though you didn't type it right.
So why don't you address my ORIGINAL concerns about why this is a bad idea.
That a centralized board for a decentralized movement cannot work and will be a big waste of time from more well-proven efforts.
That it'll be loud-mouthed power-hungry prima-donna egomaniacs that will want to be on the board and not the type of people that will properly represent us (if there is such a person).
And that the people in this movement will never take such a board seriously, thereby making such an effort useless to implement.
CAN YOU PLEASE ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS?
Or is this entire thread about you and what you want? If it is, I'll move on to more important concerns, because this is your umpteenth thread trying to get this bad idea off the ground and now I'm sure you're just tilting at windmills.

 

[Stealth4]

Ghemminger,

I know there are problems at the campaign - I've been to HQ and I know a few people.

The issue here is that you dont fight fire with fire, as in, you certainly are not the right person to lead a grassroots effort to "fix" the official campaign.

You are here, doing this for attention, trying to make up to the forum that you pissed off. I've never seen so much justified anger toward one member on any forum before, until you, ghemminger came along.