hard@work
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Digg the story here:
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/The_Ron_Paul_Revolution_winning_hearts_and_minds
Dave from the San Diego meetup group had asked me to review this. I cannot put it in any better way Dave. You are an excellent representative of what the new Republican movement is all about.
[Operation Flower Drop] - Mission Accomplished
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/The_Ron_Paul_Revolution_winning_hearts_and_minds
Dave from the San Diego meetup group had asked me to review this. I cannot put it in any better way Dave. You are an excellent representative of what the new Republican movement is all about.
[Operation Flower Drop] - Mission Accomplished
I thought I would send the full story through you, so you can put it together for the forum or youtube however you like. Pictures are coming tomorrow morning.
I picked up the flowers after work, they were beautiful. I had to hand-write the card (my friend actually) and used the language I suggested, it barely fit. I took pictures of the flowers and the note. Drove to the bookstore to find a line of 200 people or so. Settled into line and chatted up those around me. Everyone was talking about the border and terrorism. They were naturally curious because of the flowers, so plenty of questions. I am a tax planning attorney, so we mostly talked about taxes and spending, everyone pretty much agreed that spending was out of control. I mentioned that I was shocked and disappointed that Bush and the Republican congress could let spending get so bad. Most of those around me were initially defensive, but then joined in the concern.
Later I really stressed my concern with the economy, foreign debt, weak dollar, etc. and was taken very seriously as a financial "expert". Many mentioned concerns over foreign debt. I worked my way around to this statement: "In terms of national defense, I am way more concerned about how China could use the $2.7 trillion of U.S. debt as an economic weapon than I am of Syria or Iran." You could see the gears turn in each head...it really is obvious that funding an overseas empire is terrible for our defense...once you table it correctly. Not a single comment about Iran after that exchange.
After they all were comfortable that I was one of them, I mentioned that the flowers were from my Ron Paul Meetup group. Again, initial shock, but then surprisingly rapid acceptance. I specifically mentioned that I do not agree with Dr. Paul on all issues, but that his sterling record on spending and his integrity were what won me over. Lots of nods.
After almost two hours, we finally got up close and my photographer positioned herself. I gave her the flowers and she asked me my name. I said, "My name is Dave, but these flowers are not from me, they are from Ron Paul supporters all over the country." "Ron Paul? you guys are EVERYWHERE (loud and to the crowd). The crowd farther back in line looked puzzled, but not the ones around me, they just smiled. I continued, "These are to say thank you for your nice words about our candidate, thank you for giving us Goldwater Republicans a fair shake." She smiled quite broadly. I asked her to sign the book "to Ron Paul" and said I would deliver it to Ron. She signed the book "To Ron Paul, Paulies ROCK!".
I paid for the book and headed home.
Lessons learned for my own one-on-one campaigning: 1) leave the Ron Paul attire at home (I was dressed in a suit), and build common ground before dropping the Ron Paul bomb; 2) friendly and polite drops the defenses; 3) build more common ground; 4) the average Republican is scared sh**less about foreign debt, spending and the economy, it is truly the winning issue; 5) the border is a HUGE issue, larger than I thought; and 6) "Paulies"are quickly moving from crazies to be feared to endearing, energetic Republicans with common sense.
These book signings are prime opportunities to convert your standard Fox News Republican to an ally. I would recommend future attendance, but would make the following suggestions: 1) too many Ron Paul supporters with flowers will move from nice to creepy real quick; and 2) Get the young supporters out. Laura was featured on the cover of Time as the poster child of the rise of the Young Republican, I think she sees parallels already with Ron Paul. Lets cement that idea for her and other influential Republican pundits.
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