If the blimp doesn't fly

[NimbleNadzz]

I am terribly concerned about what will happen if the blimp does not fly.

I have read many posts about how nothing is lost if the blimp doesn't lift off. The fact is, this process has started and people are watching. If this fails, it will be a huge blow to the Ron Paul campaign.

If the blimp does not fly, you have to ask yourselves the following questions:

* What kind of negative ammo will this give the MSM?
* Will this adversely affect the enthusiasm of the Ron Paul supporters?
* What will it say to would be Ron Paul supporters?
* What will it say to the other candidates?

I'll give you my answers:
* Headline - "Ron Paul supporters divided - blimp grounded indefinitely."
* I can only speak for myself, but I will see this as a candidate killer.
* "They failed to organize a blimp, I'll place my vote with someone who can win."
* Ron Paul is losing support and is divided internally.

However the blimp achieves it ( PAC, non-profit, profit ), the goal is same. Ron Paul 2008.

 

[Onyx]

Well then let's make sure that it DOES fly!!!! We're almost half way there!!!

 

[Primbs]

The media is very bored with Hillary and her arms length distance from the press. I think the press would like to see something new and different for a campaign.

Some media guys are very jaded because they hear the same stale rhetoric year after year. They see the same events in hotel ballrooms year after year, decade after decade.

Because the blimp is new and different, the media will have a natural curiosity about this new way to campaign with a blimp. Will it work? How much interest will it create?

Will people run outside to see it as it flies by?

What will the average voters reaction be?

These are all stories that the media will have to cover.

There will be even more story angles.

Will internet fundraising go up in the areas that the blimp flies over?

Will the blimp act like the artillary, creating massive name recognition first, then allowing the Ron Paul ground troops to go into neighborhoods and persuade the voters to vote for Ron Paul?

Stay tuned for some interesting times.

 

[Mark]

Well then let's make sure that it DOES fly!!!! We're almost half way there!!!

Half way there?

It's at least $350,000-$375,000 isn't it?

 

[Mark]

I am terribly concerned about what will happen if the blimp does not fly.

Please don't be upset. It's not well known like the Tea Party. It won't be that bad in the papers.

 

[NimbleNadzz]

Half way there?

It's at least $350,000-$375,000 isn't it?

My understanding is that it takes $200K to get it off the ground.

 

[ItsTime]

They need $200k by friday and $500k by the 10th. I hope they make it.

Half way there?

It's at least $350,000-$375,000 isn't it?

 

[NimbleNadzz]

Please don't be upset. It's not well known like the Tea Party. It won't be that bad in the papers.

Possibly, but if other candidates get wind of a failure, it's just ammo and fuels the support for them.

 

[libertyanne]

It will be a five minute wonder if that

The whole idea of "Who is Ron Paul?" is that not many know who he is.

Even less know about the blimp.

So it will make zero difference.

All that matters is the tea party, donations and keeping Ron Paul and his staff going.

 

[smartbandwidth]

Someone on board this ship - perhaps that lawyer earning $10K+ in extortion money - needs to pick up the phone and earn their keep by contacting BIG money donors who can make this fly.

I pledged and donated what I said I would, but feel abused and gored by the individual-corporate greed that's seeks to steal the first $50-75K off the top of this effort BEFORE the blimp contractor gets it's first penny.

Please, please REMOVE THE EGO AND SELF-SERVING ENERGY!! Say you are sorry!! Restructure this whole-entire effort overnight!! NOW!!! This is the only way the Ron Paul Blimp project is going to get off the ground!!

Swallow your pride.....

Direct ALL donations - with the exception of legitimate expenses - to pay for the blimp-air time. Period!! This should be just like renting space on a billboard. It doesn't take a "for profit" company with 5-12 individuals with their hands in the pie to rent a billboard. Let the grassroots plan the details.

Give it up!!

GO!!

FLY!!

NOW!!

 

[Mental Dribble]

Just to get it straight, its 200k by friday and 175 more by the 10th.

The first months costs are 375,000. A mere 25k more than the originial. Thats less than 9 % overhead. ugggg.

 

[seapilot]

Someone on board this ship - perhaps that lawyer earning $10K+ in extortion money - needs to pick up the phone and earn their keep by contacting BIG money donors who can make this fly.

I pledged and donated what I said I would, but feel abused and gored by the individual-corporate greed that's seeks to steal the first $50-75K off the top of this effort BEFORE the blimp contractor gets it's first penny.

Please, please REMOVE THE EGO AND SELF-SERVING ENERGY!! Say you are sorry!! Restructure this whole-entire effort overnight!! NOW!!! This is the only way the Ron Paul Blimp project is going to get off the ground!!

Swallow your pride.....

Direct ALL donations - with the exception of legitimate expenses - to pay for the blimp-air time. Period!! This should be just like renting space on a billboard. It doesn't take a "for profit" company with 5-12 individuals with their hands in the pie to rent a billboard. Let the grassroots plan the details.

Give it up!!

GO!!

FLY!!

NOW!!

As I understand no one gets paid until the blimp is in the air over North Carolina. And rest assured the Blimp company will most likely get thier share before anyone else does. I charter planes for a living so have a decent idea.

 

[libertyanne]

Thank You Smartbandwidth

You Said this perfectly

 

[Soccrmastr]

Yeah why are the staff getting paid so damn much?? Ridiculous, use the money to go to the blimp, or just everyone else donate to the campaign. They dont even know if they're able to fly the blimp everywhere yet.

 

[shane2]

If the blimp does not fly...

...now that the media is becoming aware of it, you will see in print political cartoons of a Hindenburg-like flaming/crashing blimp with disparaging captions implying this is the fitting end for an overextended RP base, and then the TV talking heads will gleefully show and comment on it on air, too.

This Ron Paul Blimp has truly great media potential and as an imagination grabbing energizer swelling our ranks, and the flaws and guffaws of getting it airborne will all be forgotten quick as it lifts off.

I've done my part, fulfilling my pledge to the tune of four figures last night, and urge all others to do what they can, too, and for those that had pledged, to follow through now, too.

Let's get this off the ground now and start reaping the well deserved benefits of it!!

- Shane

 

[huchahucha]

Ok, lets entertain the worst case scenario. The Blimp never gets off the ground - it is a total failure. Ultimately, who cares? It is not associated with the campaign in any way, shape or form. It did not cost the campaign a single penny. It is a small business that tried and failed. All of us that invested in it (bought time) knew the risks and invested anyway. I don't see any other candidates supporters taking this kind of risk - there is your news story "Ron Paul supporters aren't crazy, everyone else are just cowards".

 

[NimbleNadzz]

Ok, lets entertain the worst case scenario. The Blimp never gets off the ground - it is a total failure. Ultimately, who cares? It is not associated with the campaign in any way, shape or form. It did not cost the campaign a single penny. It is a small business that tried and failed. All of us that invested in it (bought time) knew the risks and invested anyway. I don't see any other candidates supporters taking this kind of risk - there is your news story "Ron Paul supporters aren't crazy, everyone else are just cowards".

How can you say that it is not associated with the Ron Paul Campaign? Neither the media, candidates or opposition are going to recognize this technicality.

The fact of the matter is it will all get lumped together. People see a RON PAUL blimp - it will be associated with the Ron Paul campaign. It would be utterly insane to think people aren't going to lump the two together.

 

[huchahucha]

I never said people will not lump the two together, nevertheless it IS NOT associated with the campaign. As a group we have never let anyone go tell blatant lies about the campaign without bombarding them with cold hard facts. Why should that stop if the blimp fails?

 

[koob]

no blimp!!!?! I'd be very sad.