How do we get democrats to vote for BJ?

[BenIsForRon]

As we know, Durham has a huge urban black population. Most of these people always vote straight democratic ticket, much in the same way evangelical Christians vote straight republican ticket.

I know there are some people from BJ's campaign here, so I was wondering, has there been any discussion about how to reach these people? Just getting out the republican vote for D4 is not going to be enough. We're going to have to get the democratic voters to make an exception this year when they're bubbling in their choice of representative.

 

[yongrel]

Civil liberties.

 

[nate895]

Civil liberties.

Don't forget the war.

 

[FireofLiberty]

The war, civil liberties (more specifically the PATRIOT Act) and "kitchen table" issues like food and gas prices which have been the centerpiece of the campaign for awhile now ("it's the economy, stupid"). Paige and I had a good discussion last night about how we can best get this message across and we came up with some really good ideas. I feel like it's probably not a good idea to go into these ideas for strategic reasons (i.e. we don't want the opposition to know what we're planning) and for practical reasons (because not everything is concrete yet).

But, yes, to answer your question there has been a great deal of discussion about how to reach Democrat voters and get them to vote for BJ, especially in Durham.

 

[FireofLiberty]

By the way, feel free to give us any ideas or your thoughts. We love getting input and suggestions ...and we do listen to and consider them.

 

[ItsTime]

a-n-t-i u-n-c-o-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n-a-l w-a-r-s

 

[jjockers]

Well, I have a related question - how can we attract both republicans and democrats with a quick sentence or two? If I am talking to someone, say at the polls, and I don't know their political affiliation, with limited time, what would be the best bipartisan pro-bj things to say? I'm thinking, for this area, something like 'vote for a congressman who will actually end the war' or something like that, since republicans will vote for him anyway, or perhaps something about removing big-spending Price from office.

For the primary, my most successful line was something along the lines "would you consider voting for a republican for congress?" This quickly grabbed the attention of republicans and avoided wasted time with registered democrats. This obviously will not work well for the general election.

 

[DRV45N05]

Well, I have a related question - how can we attract both republicans and democrats with a quick sentence or two? If I am talking to someone, say at the polls, and I don't know their political affiliation, with limited time, what would be the best bipartisan pro-bj things to say? I'm thinking, for this area, something like 'vote for a congressman who will actually end the war' or something like that, since republicans will vote for him anyway, or perhaps something about removing big-spending Price from office.

For the primary, my most successful line was something along the lines "would you consider voting for a republican for congress?" This quickly grabbed the attention of republicans and avoided wasted time with registered democrats. This obviously will not work well for the general election.

Adapting James Carville's famous quote,

"It's the Constitution, stupid!"

 

[jjockers]

Adapting James Carville's famous quote,

"It's the Constitution, stupid!"

Haha - you'd think that would work. However, most people haven't read the constitution and would feel intimidated. Also, saying a candidate supports (or wants to restore) the constitution is like saying a republican supports the ideals of Ronald Reagan - they all do, or say they do, so it doesn't mean anything to the average joe (at least in my experience).

I'm looking for a 1-2 liner that would grab the attention of both democrats and republicans. I'd imagine our campaigning prior to the general election will get the republicans out to vote for BJ regardless of what I say, so it's really the democrats (I live in liberal town, usa) that are of import - I just don't want to alienate any republican voters.

 

[asheville4paul]

The drug war has ruined thousands of families lives in the Durham inner city.

 

[jjockers]

The drug war has ruined thousands of families lives in the Durham inner city.

True, but I don't think saying "how would you like to end the war on drugs?" is a good conversation starter with most folks (assume I don't know their political preference), unless of course I *gasp* discriminate when deciding what to say to various people. In that case, as a young white male republican, I may be looked down upon - or thanked - I don't know.

 

[Bradley in DC]

Dr. Paul was HUGELY popular with the students at the historically-Black Morgan State University at the debate there in Baltimore.

Check out that video/transcripts, etc. I covered it for RonPaulRadio.com but have no access to the audio files or anything.

 

[DRV45N05]

Haha - you'd think that would work. However, most people haven't read the constitution and would feel intimidated. Also, saying a candidate supports (or wants to restore) the constitution is like saying a republican supports the ideals of Ronald Reagan - they all do, or say they do, so it doesn't mean anything to the average joe (at least in my experience).

I'm looking for a 1-2 liner that would grab the attention of both democrats and republicans. I'd imagine our campaigning prior to the general election will get the republicans out to vote for BJ regardless of what I say, so it's really the democrats (I live in liberal town, usa) that are of import - I just don't want to alienate any republican voters.

Hand them a Constitution, and say, "Read it. He's for that."

i am, of course, being somewhat jocular. But hey? Could work.

 

[raeason]

I thought that his most recent blog entry about Price's blatant fiscal irresponsibility was quite poignant- spending 16T when only accounting for 14T? How is that any way to get out of debt? Who pays for that debt more, the rich or the poor? Etc.

 

[Conza88]

Civil Liberties +
Unconstitutional wars +
End the FAILED war on drugs (stress the failed) +
GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.
COLLECTIVISM is the source of todays problems...

BJ is the perfect ticket. A fixed economy without the Rubbish of other Republican goons!

 

[majinkoola]

I have a lot of contact with inner city Durham. From my experience, talking about the Constitution, collectivism, or other such broad ideas won't work, unless you talk to someone for a long time. Speaking about the moral reasons for a libertarian viewpoint isn't effective. The war, yes. The war on drugs, especially if you bring up the racial disparity in prisons, yes. Specifically the difference in sentences for crack and cocaine. Getting rid of the income tax, yes. I've broken through with a couple people about how the monetary system screws over the poor and middle classes in favor of lobbyist organizations, but that's tough.

I think a big thing is getting through to people that sending money to Washington results in a lot more wasted money than sending the money to local or state gov'ts. I'm not in support of big gov't at any level, but it's really easy for people to see that the federal gov't is comparatively much more wasteful.

 

[IRO-bot]

Promise them free stuff!!! j/k

but yeah.

 

[JMann]

Don't bog people down with issues. Talk about BJ as a person and then if they show interest you can get into more specifics.

Don't waste time trying to get voting blocks that aren't favorable and concentrate on Duke and UNC students and people that are open to issues.

If you are serious about attracting black voters you need to become involved in the community. I would recommend that BJ take the time to visit some black churches and speak at NCCU. I would recommend that BJ speak on how his positions would improve education.

 

[skyorbit]

The same way Ron Paul attracted Democrats!

Attack Corporate Welfare, and the Banking System.

Attack the War and the Patriot Act.

Tell the truth.

Any Ron Paul Republican who makes it through the Primary, should -- if he can get the message out -- easily win the general.

Tracy

Tracy

 

[JMann]

The same way Ron Paul attracted Democrats!

Attack Corporate Welfare, and the Banking System.

Attack the War and the Patriot Act.

Tell the truth.

Any Ron Paul Republican who makes it through the Primary, should -- if he can get the message out -- easily win the general.

Tracy

Tracy

I don't think that will work when trying to attract African American votes or blue collar Demorcrats in the 4th. Most people want to hear how BJ will make their life better and improve the schools for the children.

Though it may be fun for junkies to get into attacking this and that most people want you to listen to them not attack their employer and where they have their bank account.