Nevada Residents: Burning Man is coming, great chance to spread RP material

[Butchie]

I live in MI and already took my vacation this year so I can't go, but briefly for those who don't know Burning Man is a huge event where people get together to support the de-criminalization of Marijuana and other drugs. If anyone lives in the area it would probably be a great place to go campaign for RP, I went once a few years back when I myself was a HUGE cynic and trust me most people there are the same way and it'd be a great chance to pick up alot of undecided or unregistered voters. The offcial link for the event is below which has more details, I'm hoping we can get some people in the area to head over there, Message me if you need some help buying some RP supplies, I don't have alot of money but I could donate a few hats/T-shirts/buttons etc.

Burning Man
http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/08/burning-man-2011-all-you-need-to-know.html

 

[teacherone]

really?

 

[PastaRocket848]

I wanna go.

 

[Napoleon's Shadow]

How many likely Republican voters will be there?

 

[dannno]

Hmm, I heard it was sold out this year? My roommate is up there promoting Zeitgeist with a couple dozen other local Zeitgeist activists.

Burning Man was REALLY cool about 8-10+ years ago..

Everybody who goes now says it's really fun, but it is not the same as it was. There are a lot of undercover cops and it is a lot bigger.

I always want to go, but I keep thinking that eventually it is going to reach a tipping point and not be so fun or cool that next year.

 

[Nickwanz]

@Naploeon's Shadow Why does that matter? Its not like we can't target disaffected Obama democrats.

 

[dannno]

How many likely Republican voters will be there?

It depends on your definition of likely Republican voters. If nobody tells them about Ron Paul, then I would say not very many.

However it would be a lot more if there was a bunch of Ron Paul supporters promoting his anti-war and anti-drug war stances. They would likely sign up to be Republicans right away.

 

[torchbearer]

 

[Napoleon's Shadow]

It depends on your definition of likely Republican voters. If nobody tells them about Ron Paul, then I would say not very many.

However it would be a lot more if there was a bunch of Ron Paul supporters promoting his anti-war and anti-drug war stances. They would likely sign up to be Republicans right away.

@Naploeon's Shadow Why does that matter? Its not like we can't target disaffected Obama democrats.

People who have not voted (or caucused) in the last 3 of 4 Republican primaries (caucuses) probably will not vote in the next one so they are not worth wasting time on.

 

[dannno]

Why does that matter? Its not like we can't target disaffected Obama democrats.

The problem is this campaign has a short-term and long-term strategy. We need to win or do VERY well in Iowa and NH so we can show that we can win the nomination. In those places, and in Republican and swing states we really should follow that strategy primarily. Many people here are ONLY focused on that, which is awesome. But if you're the type of person who might go to burning man, you might not be the best person to be involved in that front (converting Christian/Republicans to Ron Paul).

However I think the diversity of our supporters can be such a positive thing, and a VERY positive thing in the long-run. If those who are able to focus on the likely Republican voters are successful, if we can show that we can win the nomination, then it's a whole new ball-game. For me, targeting likely Republican voters in my area is worthless. There aren't any. I am much better off focusing on progressives who are disaffected with Obama, trying to get them to register Republican or at least plant the seed for the General Election if we win.

 

[LawnWake]

really?

Sure? I'm a promoter and DJ in my area, book and spin harsh underground dance music and there's definitely a huge audience for Ron Paul in those types circles. People like them, or hell, me, likely feel inhibited in their freedoms by an oppressive government. So it's a good place to start. Just stock up on waterbottles (and not because of the heat haha) and hand them out with Ron Paul flyers and try to push the anti-war and pro-civil liberty aspect of his campaign.

The beauty of Ron Paul's philosophy is that it can unite conservative christians and recreational drug users to fight for the same goal; liberty. Doesn't sound too bad to me.

 

[Nickwanz]

Imagine how many people that are active now that had no clue in 07/08, they were not worth the time? I have NEVER voted in a republican primary, someone reached out to me at one point............

You can only preach to choir for so long.

 

[Fatejuggler]

How many likely Republican voters will be there?

I went once a few years back when I myself was a HUGE cynic and trust me most people there are the same way and it'd be a great chance to pick up alot of undecided or unregistered voters.

~~

 

[dannno]

People who have not voted (or caucused) in the last 3 of 4 Republican primaries (caucuses) probably will not vote in the next one so they are not worth wasting time on.

That might be a good strategy for Iowa and NH and many other red states and swing states, but I don't think the statistics you are citing accurately portray new Ron Paul supporters. I think the statistics you are citing and the strategy you are emphasizing is great for getting an establishment candidate elected, or for electing Ron Paul in a very conservative area, but we're talking about a politician who transcends all the bullshit. Good luck going to Burning Man and getting people to support Michelle Bachmann.. but going there to get people to support Ron Paul is completely different and could be a good thing for certain types of people to focus on.

 

[Nickwanz]

All i know is that my area is very liberal and to win a primary here you will need to convert some dems. And I don't think we should ignore people that don't vote(or don't vote republican).

 

[specsaregood]

That might be a good strategy for Iowa and NH and many other red states and swing states, but I don't think the statistics you are citing accurately portray new Ron Paul supporters. I think the statistics you are citing and the strategy you are emphasizing is great for getting an establishment candidate elected, or for electing Ron Paul in a very conservative area, but we're talking about a politician who transcends all the bullshit. Good luck going to Burning Man and getting people to support Michelle Bachmann.. but going there to get people to support Ron Paul is completely different and could be a good thing for certain types of people to focus on.

Can we just go ahead and ban this troll: Napoleon's Shadow already? He is constantly discouraging activism and pissing all over people's desire to get involved.

 

[belian78]

I found Dr Paul on my own through research into politics, but before I took that step I avoided politics like the plague. The only thing I knew was that they were all crooks. I came from a music background, so I was always at concerts, release parties, etc... Had someone took the time to reach out to me at one of these events, I would have been a Paul supporter much sooner.
So I can see that there is benefit to this line of thinking, albeit like Matt's alter ego stated, probably not a good idea in the red states.

 

[Nickwanz]

Can we just go ahead an ban this troll: Napoleon's Shadow already? He is constantly discouraging activism and pissing all over people's desire to get involved.

His intentions are good. We all have our own ideas on how to best organize what is all of our('s) movement.

 

[acptulsa]

His intentions are good. We all have our own ideas on how to best organize what is all of our('s) movement.

True. But some of us don't continually naysay the others. We might occasionally whine about how hard the others are to reach (for us, but we all have different talents), but we don't continually say a group which is fertile ground is a waste of time.

The anti-corporatist sentiment in this nation is historic--it has reached a level not seen in a century. And a century ago, lots of elections were swung by smart populists tapping that energy at the grass roots level. Today, we're repeating that history. Proving that those who refuse to learn from history, or those who refuse to learn from any history outside the last ten years, will fail to repeat the good parts.

Fortunately, he isn't as persistent as he used to be, so is somewhat less trollish in his behavior...

I can't help but notice that the press has said absolutely nothing about how many first time participants there were in this year's Iowa Straw Poll. And they certainly haven't said what their previous political persuasion may have been. I'll just bet a study of the same would prove interesting indeed.

 

[wide awake]

I found Dr Paul on my own through research into politics, but before I took that step I avoided politics like the plague. The only thing I knew was that they were all crooks. I came from a music background, so I was always at concerts, release parties, etc... Had someone took the time to reach out to me at one of these events, I would have been a Paul supporter much sooner.
So I can see that there is benefit to this line of thinking, albeit like Matt's alter ego stated, probably not a good idea in the red states.

I admit that I am a novice when it comes to spreading Ron Paul's message and building support since I have just recently decided to support him but I completely agree with this statement.

While many may jump to the conclusion that those that attend these events are inclined to be liberal, I think the more accurate statement is that they are more apathetic towards politics and more concerned with the individual and the opportunity for self-expression of the individuality. Most don't take part in the political process because 99% of it cannot be trusted to foster any creativity or individuality. If you look at many of the 10 principles of burning man (radical inclusion, radical self-reliance, radical self expression, civic responsibility, participation, immediacy) there seems to be numerous opportunities to use those principles as a platform to introduce them to Ron Paul's principles.