Open letter to grassroots

[zumajoe]

Sticky This Please!

 

[Corydoras]

That I do. Honestly, the caucus is so different than a regular primary. Campaigning is very different here. There are very few people who show up, and converting those who do is a slow process. It's great to get out and lobby for new supporters. It's very necessary. But that's really where Dean went wrong in Iowa. He didn't talk to those of us who show up. I went to the Democrat caucus last time because I wanted Bush to lose. Dean had no support because he missed the thirty people who showed. It's really that simple.

WOW, that's important to know!
Thanks for telling those of us in primary election states!

Please do keep working on converting people.

 

[jb4ronpaul]

Good, except some of the most active and supportive people in our group are no where near "supervoters". I have not voted in at least the last 2 elections and I am an assistant organizer. give the disenfranchised something to hope for and they will be worth many supervoters.

 

[angelatc]

Yes, I agree that we should all print it out and hang it on our fridge.

I saw it earlier in a blog search and went to it thinking it was going to be a nasty slam piece, but I've been thinking about it all day.

 

[RockEnds]

Good, except some of the most active and supportive people in our group are no where near "supervoters". I have not voted in at least the last 2 elections and I am an assistant organizer. give the disenfranchised something to hope for and they will be worth many supervoters.

That's exactly why it's still important to talk to everyone. Believe me, we're going to have to create some new super voters. But the thing is, the people who always come no matter what, are going to be there. You don't want to miss making contact with those people before caucus night.

 

[Rivington Essex]

This was the best post on strategy this forum has ever seen.

 

[wgadget]

Hmm. Classy....Can you describe something classy that the grassroots can do? I was trying to think of something classy myself, today.

I think RP's role as teacher is classy. So many people are ignorant of most of the things that draw us to him. If they don't understand the Constitution and our history, why would they be attracted to him?

 

[Rivington Essex]

As the campaign has grown,

 

[Lesgov]

Good ,honest advice I believe. We got our first batch of names for this area today. It's time to go into another phase. We'll be going door to door for the next four months.

 

[davidhperry]

...or stop wearing t-shirts going to rallies and things like that...

Wearing T-shirts and going to rallies are all fine. I believe he's talking about shouting and being generally disruptive - and I agree. It might get some people wound up but it's a turnoff to many, like the elderly.

 

[aksmith]

It is definitely time to go to the next phase. Unless we put boots on the ground, we'll end up with zero support. And for those who disagree with the original poster's recommendations . . . how many successful campaigns have you been a part of? Instead of getting defensive, give it a little time to sink in. Think about who you need to attract to the voting booths and caucus sites. Those people are not like most of us. They are not as committed as us. They are not as passionate as us. They need to see that Ron Paul is a candidate that everyone should be able to get behind. There is nothing wrong with enthusiasm. But marching around screaming his name four hours is more reminiscent of a cult than a political movement that wishes to be taken seriously. This is the only chance we're ever likely to have to get a man like Dr. Paul elected. Let's not blow it. A.K. Smith

 

[katao]

Unfortunately, the message about the constitution and liberty is irrelevant. People want somebody with good judegment. And they need to see that through the MSM.

Not is some areas of the country - in Utah, for example, they believe the constitution is literally from God. The hard part is just convincing them that Romney, despite being Mormon, is 1/10 the supporter of the constitution that Ron Paul is.

And I think you're discounting everyone's desires for liberty: people do want the government off their backs and out of their private lives.

 

[Bryan]

I thought the points where good expect the first issue with the video- as someone who was there, I saw nothing wrong at all with what was being done, just people getting excited and calling for Ron Paul. They were actually required to file in as they did, they were just showing their enthusiasm for the crowd.

We can sticky this in a day or so, let it play out first...

 

[RockEnds]

So they ask you "Who do you support?" and you can't say "Ron Paul"? What do they put you as then? The hell!?

They say he's not on their list. Two months ago, they claimed to have never heard of him. Now they just thank me for my time and hang up. I yelled at one of them in May, and no one called back for a month!! In their defense, I voted on the Democrat side in the last election. I always go to a caucus--just not necessarily the same one. They're not giving the option to choose any candidate from either party. I'm being called on the Democrat side only. The way I see it, I'm probably not the only person who went to the Democatic caucus four years ago but will go Republican this time. There was a sitting Republican president last time. Hardly anyone went to that caucus. I think they're missing some votes. How many? Who knows.

 

[RockEnds]

Come to think of it, I yelled at them the last time they called. Ron and Huck were in the middle of their exchange, and someone called to poll me. I shouted at them for calling during the debate. They called back the next day, but they wanted the name of a Democrat only.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

interesting post. thanks for stickying. I agree about showing class and keeping to more mainstream issues.

 

[american.swan]

That I do. Honestly, the caucus is so different than a regular primary. Campaigning is very different here. There are very few people who show up, and converting those who do is a slow process. It's great to get out and lobby for new supporters. It's very necessary. But that's really where Dean went wrong in Iowa. He didn't talk to those of us who show up. I went to the Democrat caucus last time because I wanted Bush to lose. Dean had no support because he missed the thirty people who showed. It's really that simple.

I value your opinion from your stated background. Some others on this thread might have never been this involved in a campaign before and to me some are just stubborn. Let's get the "Super-Voters" for the primaries and worry MORE about the newbies when the general election comes along.

 

[Matt Salla]

I agree with #1 & #3 the most

We need Super Voters and money.

Mr. Matt Salla,

Thank you very much for your donation of $500.00 to the Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Your donation will allow us to expand and grow our campaign.

We depend on donors like you to help us spread the message of freedom, peace and prosperity through Ron Paul’s candidacy.

Thanks for being a part of the campaign!

Your confirmation number:
T30226-92029829

 

[justinc.1089]

I'm a super voter and a soccer mom. (I once skipped out on an award from the governor so I could go to my kid's football game, but I vote in all the elections.) I love to march and chant, and the pollsters that call me have never once offered Ron Paul as an option. Now what?

Let them know what kind of @#$% that is that they are not being fair. I would tell them about that if they left out any candidate. I wouldn't actually use words like @#$%% or @$$%#$@ though lol... probably a very bad idea.

 

[abbgt1]

I agree. The movement is doing great being 100% positive about RP. Resist the temptations to slam those who disagree (or are running with other platforms, or write articles opposing RP). It only backfires and creates "blowback" against RP.