Flight Path to Victory - PLEASE READ

[TCrage]

Hello, my name is Tom Crage. I have had Ron Paul Fever since February and have kept up with almost everything that has happened, as best I could. I donated $500 in the 3rd qtr, $1,000 on Nov 5, and plan to give the remaining $800 on Dec 16 (not to mention the uncounted $,$$$ personally spent). I have actively participated in South Florida in the meet-up scene, attended the Fort Lauderdale debate and rally, the St Petersburg rally, and am doing what I can to help the one planned for Dec 9 in Miami. I will be putting full effort into helping anyway I can here in my 40-year home-town, Boca Raton, for the debate scheduled for Jan 23 at Florida Atlantic Univ. www.fau.edu/debates (www required).

I, like many, am excited about the blimp idea. It really is a magnificent achievement for the grassroots effort. Blimps are common in my area of Florida and I can tell you they ARE effective. However, everyone has to remember it is a marketing tool, and is mainly only effective if it is seen. We already know that we cannot rely on national media coverage as the primary mode of visibility. Voters need to see it with their own eyes, as seeing is believing.

After finding out the blimp would start at Elizabeth City, NC, I began looking at the maps and applying the knowledge I have gained over the last 9 months. I have come up with what I believe is a coordinated Air/Ground campaign to maximize the chances of what we are all trying to achieve, electing Ron Paul.

First thing to consider is that without wins in the early primary states, the game is over. Currently, the 6 early primary are:

Iowa: 01/03/2008
Wyoming: 01/05/2008
New Hampshire: 01/08/2008
Michigan: 01/15/2008
Nevada: 01/19/2008
South Carolina: 01/26/2008
Florida: 01/29/2008

Out of these 6, the two a blimp would have the most impact in are South Carolina and Florida. People have suggested going to Boston. I believe this would be a mistake. Over one third of the month’s flight time would be spent just going there and coming back to South Carolina, and that’s without fly around time added in. I would argue that the effect of going to Boston would be negligible when considering that it almost solely relies on media coverage and people paying any attention to that coverage. I would also argue that the impact on funds raised Dec 16 is likewise not worth the cost and lost potential.

What I am proposing is a flight path to maximize exposure in a coordinated Air and Ground effort throughout South Carolina and Florida. I strongly believe that massive positive local new coverage is the key to victory in these states. Currently, Ron Paul has three HQ’s in South Carolina: Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. According to Wiki, “other notable incorporated cities” are Anderson, Aiken, Beaufort, Florence, Georgetown, Greenwood, Hilton Head Island, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, Newberry, North Charleston, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, North Augusta, Lexington and Sumter.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina

I overlaid the state map with the population density map and added my proposed flight path. Landing sites are shown as black dots and flight legs alternate between blue and purple. Commercial airports are located in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville/Spartanburg, Florence, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island.

Proposed Flight Path:


First landing: Spartanburg - Why? Remember this?

See: GOP maverick Paul shunned in Spartanburg

By landing here first, we are announcing to the South Carolina GOP that we are extending the ultimate olive branch and here to win their support by offering ours. We will put the GOP in Greenville/Spartanburg and upstate South Carolina in the history books as being the first destination of the Ron Paul Blimp. It is approximately 350 miles from the starting home base of Elizabeth City and should be capable of being reached in 1 flight day. This should be coordinated with the local meet-up groups for landing and takeoff rallies. The Greenville HQ people can show up and invite others even though it has nothing to do with the official campaign. This could be the start of a huge publicity coop in South Carolina.

The proposed flight path has 8 landing spots. Spartanburg, Greenville, Columbia, Aiken, Sumter, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head. It also provides fly over time to Clemson, Anderson, Clinton, Greenwood, Newberry, Lexington, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Florence, Georgetown, The Citadel, Moncks Corner, Mount Pleasant, and Beaufort.

Each landing spot should be coordinated with a rally. One way to really make good publicity would be to have a Ron Paul Grassroots toy drive at each landing. People could send unwrapped toys to the three HQ’s to be handed out to parents and children that come see the blimp. Meet-up volunteers could transport the toys to the locations ahead of the blimp.

More fly-over days could be included in the Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston areas for maximum exposure. By ending in Hilton Head, the blimp is in position to make it to Jacksonville in one flight day arriving before Christmas.

I have begun looking over Florida, as I know it well but I would first like some feedback as to whether I should bother, because I have no control over the planning. To cover Florida will require at least 2 weeks and could be planned to end up in the west panhandle for exit out towards the Super Bowl in Arizona if desired. The big event for Florida would be Orlando New Years Eve and New Years Day. It is a big hot spot for New Years celebrations and the University of Florida Gators are playing Illinois in the bowl game there on New Years Day. Major Florida coverage there.

People local to each leg of the flight can plan the actual flight path for that leg. I am only suggesting a general path.

Please give this proposal consideration and I ask for your opinions and constructive criticism. If it is well receive, we can talk details.

Thank you,

Tom

 

[asmartchimp]

I completely agree.

 

[hillertexas]

+1

 

[Ethek]

We should get you and the guys doing the math models together.

 

[Kalash]

I don't think marking it as spam was necessary.

He makes a lot of good points.

And mentions a few big events - where the local populace will be taking notice.


If clearance from ATC cannot be granted for NYE at Time Square - I think this would make an EXCELLENT alternative plan.

It'd be nice if the clearances needed were applied for now - this is doable.

If they are denied - this alternative plan may be a much better option.

Alternatives are good - not spam.

 

[Menthol Patch]

I think the Blimp needs to be in Boston for the Tea Party.

 

[Kalash]

I still think the biggest problem with all of this is converting to a 1 hour ticket for passengers.

If you're stopping every 60 miles for 30+ minutes...
You're cutting your MPH down - by almost or more than half.

 

[Ethek]

But this is your first post on here????? I marked this as spam.

Here's why:



It needs to be in major events, not cornfields. Those events have already been discussed extensively.

South Carolina is fairly populated. Also the hook with this project is not people catching sight of the blimp by happen chance. Its the draw from local nightly newscasts and the offbeat pieces this huge BLIMP would generate in the local press. It would go a long long way to cut down on Pauls 'unfavorable' rating in an early primary.

The scrap thrown our way from a national newscast by having a blimp in a non primary state such as MA would not be nearly as valuable. Not even close.

 

[Ethek]

I still think the biggest problem with all of this is converting to a 1 hour ticket for passengers.

If you're stopping every 60 miles for 30+ minutes...
You're cutting your MPH down - by almost or more than half.

I'll donate my ticket to a local childrens hospital or something. I dont care. I have no ambition to ride personally just get this thing in the air.

 

[francisco]

December 16th will be, we hope, a huge fundraiser and a major news story, just as Nov. 5th was. TeaParty is the theme. It is the next really big thing that will happen. There will be a major rally in Boston, site of the original tea party, that day.

We need to put together our efforts so they support and build on each other. Having the blimp appear as a visual on TV broadcasts that day will give added interest to the TeaParty ("look at the creative energy of the Ron Paul grassroots, they organized the blimp on their own, too!") and give a tremendous boost to the Blimp itself. It will put the Blimp on the radar screen of people everywhere and will inspire them to track its progress.

it would be absolutely NUTS to not have the Blimp in Boston on Dec. 16, unless weather conditions do not allow it. It was always part of the formulation and the new website explicitly states that it will happen. It is a part of the proposition that purchasers of the time shares are relying upon.

 

[BeFranklin]

I think the Blimp needs to be in Boston for the Tea Party.

Yep.

 

[BeFranklin]

December 16th will be, we hope, a huge fundraiser and a major news story, just as Nov. 5th was. TeaParty is the theme. It is the next really big thing that will happen. There will be a major rally in Boston, site of the original tea party, that day.

We need to put together our efforts so they support and build on each other. Having the blimp appear as a visual on TV broadcasts that day will give added interest to the TeaParty ("look at the creative energy of the Ron Paul grassroots, they organized the blimp on their own, too!") and give a tremendous boost to the Blimp itself. It will put the Blimp on the radar screen of people everywhere and will inspire them to track its progress.

it would be absolutely NUTS to not have the Blimp in Boston on Dec. 16, unless weather conditions do not allow it. It was always part of the formulation and the new website explicitly states that it will happen. It is a part of the proposition that purchasers of the time shares are relying upon.

I know. We're getting a lot of first post posters who are coming on specifically to stop the blimp. This post was a first time post too.

 

[Mckarnin]

I still think the biggest problem with all of this is converting to a 1 hour ticket for passengers.

If you're stopping every 60 miles for 30+ minutes...
You're cutting your MPH down - by almost or more than half.

My guess is that there will be "blimp ride" locations only in specific cities along the way and there will be perhaps one or two pick up and drop offs for each location.

For example..there will be 20 1-hour ride tickets issued for Boston, 20 1-hour ride tickets for New York City, 10 1-hour ride tickets for Pittsburgh, etc... People who win or recieve rides will have a chance to drive to the nearest city that is having a pick up or two and redeem their ticket there. I don't think the blimp will be picking people up and dropping them off all along the way. I think other than the specific blimp ride locations they'll only land when they need to for food, fuel, breaks or whatever the crew usually does.

I don't know how long it takes to land a blimp, if the landing pattern and landing take 30 minutes it would be very different than if it took 2 hours.

 

[Tarzan]

The initial flight is planned from the launch point near Elizabeth City, NC to Boston, MA. What we are trying to accomplish is as much exposure as possible on the maiden run. The Washington/Boston corridor is estimated to have 44 million people living there... about 16 percent of the total US population.

In addition the major media is located along the route... in particular New York. A rought itinerary is being planned. We are trying to take into account weather, layovers and flight time to make sure the blimp arrives in time for the TeaParty07 event.

The current route included 81 Universities and Colleges. Most are major universities! At the same time several military bases will be overflown as FAA restrictions allow. And, the 44+ million Americans along the route will have an opportunity to see the blimp. Other Americans (and the world) will see it as it and the rallys are covered by the MSM. We have begun work to coordinate with the RP supporter groups along the route. Plans are still in discussion but will move forward quickly as time is short. The idea is to have Ron Paul supporters know the schedule of the blimp to be on hand to answer any questions about RP. This will be a great opportunity to start a discussion with potential converts. The flight path will make it very difficult for the MSM to avoid coverage.

The flight plan and coordination with the Ron Paul "ground forces" is not a simple matter. There are a number of considerations... weather, allowable flight time, FAA restrictions and more. We are trying to make the best decision possible with all factors being considered.

We need to focus our efforts on making the largest impact possible. Traveling the Washington/Boston corridor should ensure this... and, it will have an effect in SC as well. We need to do well in as many of the early primaries as possible. Reaching Iowa is not feasible and has been ruled out. A flight to New Hampshire is definitely being planned. Since the NH primary is on Jan 8th and SC is on Jan 19th a trip to SC is being planned at the end of the NH primary. Keep in mind that nothing is finalized as yet.

We need to get the money in hand to make all of this a reality. Things ARE progressing but there are a LOT of details and work. We will also have a short turn around in working with the RP supporter groups along the initial flight route. Please give us your support to make the initial flight and TeaParty07 and huge success.

And, just thing... Dec 16th is on a weekend... anyone who can drive to Boston for the event should come. Make a day or weekend of the event. Create a Ron Paul caravan to the Tea Party in Boston! Wear your RP shirts... bring your RP signs... bring your friends and family... be polite and considerate so we can win converts, votes and the election!

 

[TCrage]

Well, I took the time to actually look at maps and lay out a workable flight plan that maximized exposure in the key early primaries as the RonPaulBlimp.com site asked, and I was rewarded with being called a spammer. Nice.

Thanks for the welcome, Ben.

I hope cooler heads prevail and those who care about getting Paul elected and not just promoting an event will take this plan into consideration.

 

[Tarzan]

Well, I took the time to actually look at maps and lay out a workable flight plan that maximized exposure in the key early primaries as the RonPaulBlimp.com site asked, and I was rewarded with being called a spammer. Nice.

Well... I didn't call you a spammer. Instead I tried to lay out the thinking behind the initial flight and the effort to get Ron Paul elected. THAT REALLY IS THE GOAL. If RP was leading in all the poles I would be sleeping instead of working on this stuff.

I, for one, genuinely appreciate your effort and understand the challenge. The TeaParty07 will be a key event and rally point... the MSM exposure will have major effects in ALL primaries... SC is definitely in planning as is FL. We WILL need help from every RP supporter to make this effective... not as a promotional stunt... but as a promotional stunt that brings in more donations to the campaign, more awareness of the RP message and more converts who will vote for RP so he will become the next President.

 

[TCrage]

SC/FL vs Boston

Well... I didn't call you a spammer. Instead I tried to lay out the thinking behind the initial flight and the effort to get Ron Paul elected. THAT REALLY IS THE GOAL. If RP was leading in all the poles I would be sleeping instead of working on this stuff.

Ditto.

I, for one, genuinely appreciate your effort and understand the challenge. The TeaParty07 will be a key event and rally point... the MSM exposure will have major effects in ALL primaries... SC is definitely in planning as is FL. We WILL need help from every RP supporter to make this effective... not as a promotional stunt... but as a promotional stunt that brings in more donations to the campaign, more awareness of the RP message and more converts who will vote for RP so he will become the next President.

Thank you. I agree that the TeaParty will be a key event. My arguement is that the blimp does not need to be there to ensure a big event. It already has life of it's own. I would like to hear a flight plan that includes Boston, NH, SC and FL. Personally, I can't see how it is posible. I have no problem whatsoever being shown that I am wrong, but so far nothing has shown that. I honestly don't see how being in Boston is neccessary to the promotional stunt, how much more in donations to the campaign for being in Boston is questionable, and the awareness of the RP message and more converts who will vote for RP so he will become the next President is needed most in SC/FL.

In my opinion, it isn't the quantity of people that see it, it is getting the right people to see it. Reliance on the MSM for grandious coverage when they have proven to not be helpful, is a weak option. Ask yourself what would sway your vote in South Carolina. Seeing the blimp flying in your city or seeing it on TV in Boston.

Do you not think that multiple coverage is better than coverage of a single event? Would the MSM not cover the blimp flying over Columbia while millions pour in? Would we not be plastered all over the SC news if the blimp was there during the event? I think all these are true.

Ten days of flying around South Carolina assures that most voters there will know who Ron Paul is and will do a lot to lessen his "negatives". Flying around the northeast does not have that same effect.

The media can easily poo-poo the money, they cannot poo-poo a SC victory. Likewise, a victory over Giuliani in Florida would gaurantee the nomination.

In the end, it comes down to a decision of whether to opt for the mundain but conservative early primary path vs the more fun for us but risky path of heading to the NE. Asking WWRPD, I think he would opt for the SC/FL strategy.

Thanks for reading, Tarzan.

 

[tamor]

A very big thank you to the group of people who are going to make this actually happen. I know it is frustrating when differences of opinion are strongly expressed. But someone has to take the lead to get it done. Remember, the more people involved the more difficult it is to get an agreement. And we have many people on the forums. Thank you again - please do not get discouraged.

 

[francisco]

...I would like to hear a flight plan that includes Boston, NH, SC and FL. Personally, I can't see how it is posible. I have no problem whatsoever being shown that I am wrong, but so far nothing has shown that. I honestly don't see how being in Boston is neccessary to the promotional stunt, how much more in donations to the campaign for being in Boston is questionable, and the awareness of the RP message and more converts who will vote for RP so he will become the next President is needed most in SC/FL.

T, Thanks for your thoughts. You see strong coverage throughout SC and FL as crucial to the success of the campaign, and I agree. (I'm guessing that you live near enough to see the importance and the possibilities). Interestingly, I see a similar importance for NH. (I used to live in the Northeast although I've been a Westerner now for 30 years). One thing that you might not know about Boston is that it is very close to the most populated southern part of New Hamphire, (only about 30 miles away from the border), and people in NH look to it as the nearest large city, are fans of local teams, watch Boston TV, etc.

Here is a basic proposal I made last week in a different thread. I actually think it IS feasible to cover Boston, NH, and SC & FL.

"Starting point in North Carolina is a given, that is where the blimp will be when previous lease ends...

...Iowa and Nevada are unfortunately is too far away from the other points of concentrated population in other early primary states to be feasible...

Boston for December 15 and 16 to celebrate Bill of Rights Day and Tea Party is absolutely crucial...

New Years Eve over Times Square in New York would get a lot of media exposure.

New Hampshire is our strongest early state, and we should try to leverage publicity with the Blimp. I think the Blimp should spend several days making a circuit around the whole state of New Hamphire. Make loops around key cities between traverses that allow people in rural areas to see the Blimp and catch the enthusiasm. The state is about 200 miles long and 30-80 miles wide, so at average 25 mph @ 6 hrs daily flying, and allowing 2 hours daily for loops over population or event centers, about 100 miles per day could be covered.

Possible NH routing: Nashua, Derry, Manchester, Concord, Keene, Newport, Claremont, Lebanon, Hanover, White River Junction (VT), St. Johnsbury (VT), Littleton, Berlin, fly over White Mountains ski areas, Laconia, Rochester, Dover, Portsmith.

Bearing the above in mind:

Start NC

Start up east coast, hitting key cities Raleigh-Norfolk-Richmond-Washington, D.C.-Baltimore-Atlantic city (casinos)-Philadelphia- New York- up Hudson River valley to Albany, NY- across Berkhires and Revolutionary towns of MA-- arrive in Boston by 12/15. This is about 1100 miles.

Then-first circuit over NH, about 1 week' possibly would have some time for part of Maine coast.

Down along coast to New York City to arrive by 12/31 New Years Eve. I week allows ample time to get lots of exposure over this very populated corridor.

Back down south along more inland route to South Carolina, then Florida."

Now that we know that the lease inception is Dec. 10, getting to Boston Dec.16 is feasible as long as weather permits, and the new website indicates that is the plan. The tour around NH and then back to NYC for New Year's eve would also work.

Leaving NYC on Jan.1st, it would be about 700 miles to SC, I'm guessing about 3to 6 days. SC to Miami is about 600 miles, call it 4 days. Miami back to NC origination point (if required) is about 900 miles, maybe 6 days.

Depending on the actual flying times and length of lease, I think it could work. If necessary, the trip south from NH could be sped up if intentional delay to be in NYC for New Year's Eve was eliminated.

 

[1913_to_2008]

T, Thanks for your thoughts. You see strong coverage throughout SC and FL as crucial to the success of the campaign, and I agree. (I'm guessing that you live near enough to see the importance and the possibilities). Interestingly, I see a similar importance for NH. (I used to live in the Northeast although I've been a Westerner now for 30 years). One thing that you might not know about Boston is that it is very close to the most populated southern part of New Hamphire, (only about 30 miles away from the border), and people in NH look to it as the nearest large city, are fans of local teams, watch Boston TV, etc.

Here is a basic proposal I made last week in a different thread. I actually think it IS feasible to cover Boston, NH, and SC & FL.

"Starting point in North Carolina is a given, that is where the blimp will be when previous lease ends...

...Iowa and Nevada are unfortunately is too far away from the other points of concentrated population in other early primary states to be feasible...

Boston for December 15 and 16 to celebrate Bill of Rights Day and Tea Party is absolutely crucial...

New Years Eve over Times Square in New York would get a lot of media exposure.

New Hampshire is our strongest early state, and we should try to leverage publicity with the Blimp. I think the Blimp should spend several days making a circuit around the whole state of New Hamphire. Make loops around key cities between traverses that allow people in rural areas to see the Blimp and catch the enthusiasm. The state is about 200 miles long and 30-80 miles wide, so at average 25 mph @ 6 hrs daily flying, and allowing 2 hours daily for loops over population or event centers, about 100 miles per day could be covered.

Possible NH routing: Nashua, Derry, Manchester, Concord, Keene, Newport, Claremont, Lebanon, Hanover, White River Junction (VT), St. Johnsbury (VT), Littleton, Berlin, fly over White Mountains ski areas, Laconia, Rochester, Dover, Portsmith.

Bearing the above in mind:

Start NC

Start up east coast, hitting key cities Raleigh-Norfolk-Richmond-Washington, D.C.-Baltimore-Atlantic city (casinos)-Philadelphia- New York- up Hudson River valley to Albany, NY- across Berkhires and Revolutionary towns of MA-- arrive in Boston by 12/15. This is about 1100 miles.

Then-first circuit over NH, about 1 week' possibly would have some time for part of Maine coast.

Down along coast to New York City to arrive by 12/31 New Years Eve. I week allows ample time to get lots of exposure over this very populated corridor.

Back down south along more inland route to South Carolina, then Florida."

Now that we know that the lease inception is Dec. 10, getting to Boston Dec.16 is feasible as long as weather permits, and the new website indicates that is the plan. The tour around NH and then back to NYC for New Year's eve would also work.

Leaving NYC on Jan.1st, it would be about 700 miles to SC, I'm guessing about 3to 6 days. SC to Miami is about 600 miles, call it 4 days. Miami back to NC origination point (if required) is about 900 miles, maybe 6 days.

Depending on the actual flying times and length of lease, I think it could work. If necessary, the trip south from NH could be sped up if intentional delay to be in NYC for New Year's Eve was eliminated.

Now that is a beautifully laid out flight path! I've been looking at a map for the last hour or so and was kind of thinking the same thing.