List constructive criticisms for HQ here

[dougkeenan]

More use of "as President I will ..."

The voters lack the mental image. Put one there.

Visualize a Ron Paul Presidency!

 

[mdh]

The vast majority of Ron Paul's campaign staff that I've met have been great. They've been enthusiastic. They've been true believers in the message. They've been willing to work hard.

At the local level, I've seen two problems holding them back.
1> Not enough foot soldiers in an official role. I only know of three guys in an official role working in NH - Chris, Norman, and Brink. All great guys. But with the sheer number of grassroots folks working there plus all of the stuff that needed to be done that only staff were working on, it seemed to me that they probably needed more staff working under them just helping out to get things done. They were always really busy. There was a second office in Exeter. I'm not sure why - I stopped by there one time during the middle of the day to get some stuff, but it was closed and locked. There was no Ron Paul signage in on it either. The Concord office had good signage and was pretty much always open and friendly.
2> Inexperience. A bit of training from consultants with more experience might be in order for hires who lack real political-world experience. This is especially true with regards to local issues. Campaign staff members should know the errata inside and out - this means state laws and state voting rules, this means state GOP and RNC bylaws, etc etc. We had poll checkers get kicked out of the polling places in NH because they needed a letter signed by the state GOP chair. I saw the requirement in the NH rule book myself, but apparently the campaign staff who assigned grassroots folks to poll checking posts did not know about it until we told them.

 

[tmg19103]

For some reason, no candidate wants to appear soft on military defense, so even the Dems don't talk up getting out of Iraq in their ads.

THIS is RP's KEY differentiator.

Run END THE WAR NOW ADS While touting how this will make our national defense stronger while we secure the borders

Also, USE THE GRASSROOTS ADS. RP is behind. Time to pull out the CREATIVE STOPS.

 

[Cyclone]

Ron Paul has the best message for change in the country. It is clear from the dems that Change is what is selling right now. So, explain how you are going to change the status quo.

Run as many ads in small papers as you can. With Tivo and other DVRs I don't think TV ads are as important as they once were. Spend the money on newspapers.

Do things to really make a splash in the media. You have Goldwater Jr. endorsing you, make a very big deal out of it.

Cater to the Inds instead of the far right.

Never bring up being pro-life again. If you are Republican it is understood and you lose both sides on this issue. The Pro-life folks think you are a wimp on the issue for not banning all abortions and the pro-choice women are terrified of the tyranny of the majority if you leave it to the states. Let this issue go. Forget it. You have other things to discuss.

Find 3 or 6 things and hit them hard in three issue spots. No one can handle more than that.

Thunderbolt has two threads on here where he asked everyone why they chose Ron Paul. Not one said because he was pro-life. A ton said:
anti-war
anti-big government
pro-privacy
pro-liberty

Focus on the things that make you different. Do not try to look like Huckabee. We HATE Huckabee. We HATE Bush. Do not sound like them.

You are losing all the kids to Obama. Find out why.

HIRE SOME PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO RUN A CAMPAIGN - RIGHT NOW.

Fire Brandon immediately. He is a rude child who has hung up on several reporters and constituents. He refused to help you get voters in NY saying that if they wanted to vote for you then they would have to do the work to do so. It doesn't work like that. If he doesn't know that, he needs to go, now.

Get rid of Bydlack. He destroyed the Tea Party and corrupted all efforts and then Trevor Lyman followed him like a puppy. That would have been a 20 million dollar day had the two of them not destroyed all the momentum by focusing on getting money too many ways.

Stop asking for 23 million like you are asking for a cup of coffee. It is too much money and people give up when they hear it.

Get some suits that fit- well. If you want to be the President you must look like a President.

Comb your hair before ever going on camera.

Hire a PR person. You need help formulating your message. You need to practice your phrasing and find out how things sound to others. You need to make complicated issues more simple. Break them down like you did today on CNN about the race issue.

You need to spend money on TV ads if you are going to have them. You need focus groups to run them past. Do you realize that your military ad that talks about supporting the troops makes you sound like you are FOR the war? We all know what it means, but you better not be running ads designed to address the folks that already support you. The folks that have never heard of you know that support the troops is code for support the war. If you don't know they think that way, then you need to hire someone who will tell you things like that. This is very important.

Work with the Grassroots. You have a ton of supporters out here who are running around like children doing stupid things because they have no direction. Give them things to do. Tell them what needs to be done and it will get done. Tell them where you need help and we will help you. You must have a liaison between your campaign and us.

Get folks who are adults answering the phones. Right now you have rude children running people off left and right. They are too young to understand that the customer/voter is always right. They are rude, surly and obnoxious.

Find a way to get materials out faster. It took one month for me to get the last order. In that time, three important deadlines passed and now they are all but useless.

HIRE A DECENT CAMPAIGN STAFF - NOW.

If you need to hire 1000 volunteers to answer emails then do so. I have written 8 times. Never once have I received an answer. Since day one I have been begging for you folks to set it up so that automatic donations could come in like all the other campaigns. Can you imagine how much money has been lost because you folks didn't bother to do it? We begged for you to set it up so that overseas expats could donate. It took you 4 months to get that together and then you all (through Brandon) refused to send out an email letting folks know you finally had the capability. When deadlines come up for folks to become a Rep to vote for you, an email must be sent to all, so that the grassroots knows which states are on the hit list.

And for heaven's sake, do some campaigning in the Super Tuesday states and spend every dime you have got. You lost a ton because you wanted to hold it all back for later. If you had done better in IA and NH, you would have had another 6 or ten million coming your way. You have to spend money to make money.

 

[WilliamC]

Haven't read the entire thread, but please

1) get the precinct list complete so people like me have names for our walking lists

2) do more local talk radio interviews in markets with large audiences

3) as others have said, start acting "more presidential" even if it means getting a total campaign makeover.

4) if and only if they are willing, make use of your large family to help you campaign.

5) keep hammering on the fact that the Republican base and is shrinking and only you are bringing in new members and new money to the Party

 

[Talcott]

Here in California ads should focus on

The Occupation, Civil Liberties, and Balanced Budget/Monetary Policy.

 

[B of R guy]

Vision, Attacks, Tailored Messages

1. Speak to your VISION of a smaller federal government. The virtue of SELF-RELIANCE, family, community, state and finally limited fed govt. Define the compassion of a CIVIL society.

2. Re-assure those currently dependent on fed govt of your commitment to them.

3. Specific attacks on policies of opposition. Huckabee's Fair tax = a sure path to a gigantic black market...McCain's 100 years = radicalizing all of Islam not just current terrorists...Il Duce Rudy and Patriot Act = more secret prisons, more torture, fewer civil liberties...BE SPECIFIC

4. Tailor advertising messages and focus to each major primary state. Primaries allowing independents campaign should focus on attracting potential OBAMA supporters. Aligned primaries campaign should focus on policy attacks on Republican rivals and conservative fiscal, foreign...policies of RP.

LIVE, LET LIVE. GO RON PAUL.

 

[realist]

What I think is important during debates.

1) TRUST - It makes you different than every other candidate. Your impecable, steadfast and time proven record shows that your word is more reliable than the others. If voters have to wonder if words can be trusted - (like usual campaign promises) they can't really know what their voteing for. People are used to being lied to and they aren't expecting a straight shooter. Many don't know that your not the usual politician so tell them about your record and why you can be trusted more so than any one else on the stage. Use examples (Mitts flip flop on abortion & gay rights- McCains suppression of free speech (McCain Feingold) & vote against tax cuts etc.


2) CONFIDENCE. Most Americans want a strong confident leader. Polite humility comes across as weakness and doesn't play well to many. Authoritative confidence is good, too much humility or arrogance is bad.

3) COMMAND. Of the facts, of the stage, of the same respect you give to others, If someone interupts you- re-interupt and point out that you respected them when they spoke and , and will accept no less from them unless they prefer you act in kind. A little indignation doesn't hurt. If someone attacks you, belittle them with short, clear and concise facts showing their not in your league on this issue. People like a winner.

4) PREPARE. Have specific facts and statistics ready. Have some good coined responses to those zingers you always get asked ready. Be prepared to deflect and have some "outs"against each candidate prepared if you get cornered. (Sometime offense is better than appearing unprepared). Stay focused and address each question deliberatly and use your time to explain why. If you have extra time, point out why your view deserves more consideration than the percieved top dogs.

5) ARTICULATE. Speak in a deliberate "matter of fact" way. Don't truncate sentences or de-emphasis the final words. Speak with authority and conviction without conveying anger, frustration or desperation.

6) SIMPLE. Keep complex explanations to a minimum. Many will tune out. Short, concise, simple responses are best. A little entertainment and humor is also good but can be tricky if thats not your personality. Pausde and think rather than stumbling on words or citations.

 

[Energy]

Get professional advisors (marketers, copywriters, strategists, etc) to brutally, surgically, creatively, and powerfully craft and launch your message into the masses. Get a superstar team around you! Have someone help you build this team.

Stress that you're the ONLY doctor with direct experience with healthcare.

 

[Bluedevil]

I forgot what article I read, but I agreed with the point that Ron Paul is the only candidate with SOLUTIONS to the problems are nation is facing. Everyone knows there are a lot of problems and the other candidates talk about the problems, but do any of them have true solutions? Even Obama- the supposed candidate of change- what is he going to do? Maybe take troops out of Iraq after 2013- obviously not fundamentally change the foregin policy, and would likely raise taxes and spending- hows that going to help the economy? No one else has any solutions to these problems.

I think the campaing needs to rebrand Ron Paul as the "Man with the Solutions". THis is what people will respond too. Also- when he talks about terrorism- if he is serious about winning the GOP nomination he has to say every time a question is asked "I am the strongest on national security" and proceed to explain why.

 

[Hancock1776]

I agree with some other posters here: focus on the positives of a Ron Paul Presidency. Peace, prosperity, and preparedness. We'll fight terrorism better, have a stronger economy, and regain world leadership all while saving money, and bringing about sustainable government.

He needs to be portrayed as significantly different from the other Republicans, because he is.

 

[Cyclone]

I forgot what article I read, but I agreed with the point that Ron Paul is the only candidate with SOLUTIONS to the problems are nation is facing. Everyone knows there are a lot of problems and the other candidates talk about the problems, but do any of them have true solutions? Even Obama- the supposed candidate of change- what is he going to do? Maybe take troops out of Iraq after 2013- obviously not fundamentally change the foregin policy, and would likely raise taxes and spending- hows that going to help the economy? No one else has any solutions to these problems.

I think the campaing needs to rebrand Ron Paul as the "Man with the Solutions". THis is what people will respond too. Also- when he talks about terrorism- if he is serious about winning the GOP nomination he has to say every time a question is asked "I am the strongest on national security" and proceed to explain why.

+1

 

[pacelli]

1) Purchase grassroots created ads and air them.

2) Stop setting up interviews for Dr. Paul if you are going to cancel them.

3) The website needs to be updated several times a day with every single public appearance.

4) Put Dr. Paul's speaking events in the AP daily press log so that press know to show up.

5) Ensure that Dr. Paul's speeches begin focusing on his specific solutions as opposed to just complaining about america.

6) Market Paul's message specifically to older voters to compete with McCain.

7) Hire a media political consultant guru who can strategize on how to effectively market Dr. Paul's message.

 

[JoelYrick]

After Guiliani admitted he hadn't read the 9/11 Commission Report, something that boosted my confidence in Dr. Paul's position on Bin Laden and foreign policy in general was Michael Scheuer coming out to say that Dr. Paul was right about Bin Laden.

Perhaps commercials introducing Scheuer and his credentials then him saying "Ron Paul is right about terrorism, they don't come here because we are rich and free, they come here because we occupy their holy lands, including a base in Saudi Arabia, and during the Clinton years the bombing of Iraq..."

Also, people need to know that McCain wants to be in Iraq permanently.

 

[stevedasbach]

3. There seems to be a preponderance of former Libertarian Party adherents controlling the campaign...

Like who?

I've been active in the LP since 1979, have attended every national convention during that time, served on the national committee 13 years, including 5 years as National Chair, followed by four years as the LP's Executive Director. The only name on the campaign staff I recognize from the LP is Joe Seehusen, who was a relatively new LP member when he was hired as Executive Director in 2003.

OTOH, I've seen many names I recognize from the LP among Paul's active grassroots supporters.

 

[Texan4RP]

My Name is Ron Paul and I am the Champion of the Constitution!!!

Doctor Paul,

We need a heart felt talk just like Reagan did. Some sort of media press conference just like Reagans where people are sitting in an arena. Where you put together the Speech of your LIFE. You talk straight into the Camera! Let the real Ron Paul step up to the Plate! We know you have it in you. We know it as a grassroots.Show the Passion you have for the Constitution. We the People should be strongly used. Talk about the hypocrites and what they have planned for us and why you are standing as a lone voice needing the help of We the People to fight this fight. Talk to the People! Not at them or a bunch of stats. Be extremely vulnerable to your emotions. I mean give this speech like it's the last speech you give on this Earth!!!

You know Romney almost tapped into what I'm talking about but he had no message. You have the Hope for America and we need you to show everyone including the other candidates and most definitely the World that RON PAUL, from Texas, is going to lead the Greatest nation on the Earth out of the Depths of Despotism!

Tell them what freedom can mean for all of them. Use the cadence that Reagan used to Orchestrate the structure of the Speech. Talk to the Elderly, Talk to the Youth, talk to the Families who are struggling to put their daughter through College while the mother doesn't work so that she can stay at home to school their other daughter, all while the Husband doesn't make enough to keep them out of debt, Yes, this is me, my life right now. Tell America to wake up! Actually say it! America Wake up! We can't choose like we are choosing a stuffed animal we must Decide what is best for America. We can't choose and then expect the Government to Bail us out. We must Decide that the time has come for us to take back America! We the People must decide! May God Bless this great nation and May the People of God be inspired to make the right Decision. Thank You and may God Bless us all.

This is what is needed. It will wake people up to see that We the People Are Ron Paul.

Run ads with the founding fathers signing the Constitution. Then say I'm Ron Paul and I approve of this and this Document. Then Smile real big.

 

[Bradley in DC]

Like who?

I've been active in the LP since 1979, have attended every national convention during that time, served on the national committee 13 years, including 5 years as National Chair, followed by four years as the LP's Executive Director. The only name on the campaign staff I recognize from the LP is Joe Seehusen, who was a relatively new LP member when he was hired as Executive Director in 2003.

OTOH, I've seen many names I recognize from the LP among Paul's active grassroots supporters.

Sheez, Steve, talk about resume dropping.

Seriously, I think the other Steve (can't we get a quota or something ) is referring to those from Dr. Paul's 1988 race in addition to Seehusen.

 

[Fred McRomliani]

launch all blimp! moneybomb now!

 

[Ball]

John McCain had an ad of him speaking to the American People.

No more narration. Put Ron in the spotlight and let him sell himself!

 

[WilliamC]

Use the slogan:

"It's the monetary system, stupid!"

Even simpler

"It's the money stupid"

"The money is becoming worth less because the system that makes it is Unconstitutional"

"Real money doesn't go down in value every year, it holds it's value"

"Inflation, any inflation, hurts average Americans who work hard and try to save. It is devastating to our seniors and others living on fixed incomes"

"The government does not control our money. Who does? A private bank that is accountable to no one"

"The American dollar was once as good as gold. Now it isn't even as good as copper. That's why pennies cost more to make than they are worth"

"When they tell you prices are going up they are wrong. The value of the money you use is actually going down. Sound money holds it's value"