Time for a new campaign manager?

[Nihilist23]

Yes. A 5th place finish is unacceptable. All the various justifications people are throwing out there is pathetic. The campaign is wasting money on ads that are not highlighting Ron Paul's core issues and nobody should put up with it. It's our money they are spending!

 

[Oldguard]

Does anyone know if each state has a campaign manager that oversees things in their state and reports to the head honcho?

 

[JMann]

I think Paul has hurt himself by not hiring some professionals. Not to say the people working for him are not but he needs some people around him that have played this game before. I think Bay Buchanan would be a great hire to sharpen the image and someone with media connections.

 

[stewie3128]

Not really an option - all the good professional campaign managers are taken. Romney really got the pick of the litter on the Republican side. I guess we could get the guy that McCain fired, but well, we don't want him to destroy our campaign too.

 

[Spirit of '76]

I really think that most Republicans are too obtuse to accept an anti-war / Federal Reserve candidate.

Living the message and spreading the message is great...I think that most RP supporters don't just type on the interweb about him. I know I have stood in sub freezing weather waving signs and donated money twice.

We need a kick ass, take no prisoners campaign manager.

BOTTOM LINE.

I've talked to old people at county Republican Club meetings who "just want a solid family man". I point out that Ron's been married to the same woman for 50 years and has 18 grandkids.

I've talked to old people at county Republican Club meetings who are "looking for a Goldwater." I hand them Ron Paul.

Trust me. People don't know about him. When they do, they like him.

I don't harp on the war or foreign policy. I find out what people want, and I show them how Ron is it.

As long as there's this perception that Ron's supporters "aren't Republicans", many mainstream Republicans aren't going to support him. Put on a tie with elephants on it, go out there, and prove them wrong.

Take the party back.

 

[Spirit of '76]

I think Bay Buchanan would be a great hire to sharpen the image and someone with media connections.

I was really disappointed that Bay didn't do more with Tancredo. Maybe it was just what she had to work with, I dunno...

 

[Derek Johnson]

Less WoW, more Speaking with people and spreading the message, and talking with people about Ron Paul's Message...

Less Internet polls, less whining, less waiting for someone else to get out and do something...

More taking it apon ourselves to do what it takes...

Nail on the head.

 

[Derek Johnson]

I've talked to old people at county Republican Club meetings who "just want a solid family man". I point out that Ron's been married to the same woman for 50 years and has 18 grandkids.

I've talked to old people at county Republican Club meetings who are "looking for a Goldwater." I hand them Ron Paul.

Trust me. People don't know about him. When they do, they like him.

I don't harp on the war or foreign policy. I find out what people want, and I show them how Ron is it.

As long as there's this perception that Ron's supporters "aren't Republicans", many mainstream Republicans aren't going to support him. Put on a tie with elephants on it, go out there, and prove them wrong.

Take the party back.

"Trust me. People don't know about him. When they do, they like him. "

That is it. People don't know "Ron Paul". I cold call for RP, and most I talk to have never heard of Ron Paul. Do something about it! Damn it!

 

[JMann]

I was really disappointed that Bay didn't do more with Tancredo. Maybe it was just what she had to work with, I dunno...

She didn't have cash with Tancredo nor did she have a solid base of grass root supporter as she had with PJB and would have with Paul. I would be open to other names but she has run several good campaigns for Pat and I think should of been picked up when Tancredo dropped out.

 

[Cassie Neilson]

My frustration with the campaign occured today, when I called the MN HQ to see if they were planning on contacting local media to try and get coverage about Dr. Paul's exclusion from the New Hampshire forum. I was told that they would not be getting involved with that as it was a New Hampshire issue, and that it would be a waste of their time/they would be wasting their time doing it. I thought that any publicity was good publicity, and that it might be good for Minnesotan voters to hear the name of a candidate excluded from an upcoming forum, but I guess not. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is not ok for the official campaign to contact media over this issue, but I'll tell you why the "waste of their time" response is very frustrating.

My friend and I volunteered there at the HQ one day for 4 hours. Now, we were able to write a couple letters and put together some post-it/slim jim packs. Here's what my friend did for a good chunk of his time- you know those little ceramic houses that have lights in them? Apparently, someone gave a lot of them to the campaign office, say at least 50 or so. My friend spent a decent amount of time PACKING THEM BACK INTO THEIR BOXES AND PUTTING THEM AWAY. Now, I understand that they were probably out when the grand opening went on for decorations, but I don't ever want to hear that something is a waste of the campaign's time, when my friend had to spend his time there doing that. I would place media attention about his exclusion more valuable than putting away ceramic houses.

Again, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they are unable to contact anyone or try to get press attention about it here due to some campaign rules, because I am thankful for them running the office, unless someone wants to point out that they are indeed able to. I don't know, I guess I'm just heated because the last thing I wanted to hear was it would be a waste of their time. I don't know if this is the right place to post this but I wanted to vent.

 

[davidhperry]

I somewhat agree with the OP, but do we really think that Ron Paul is going to listen to some hot-shot campaign manager? Win or lose, Ron Paul is running this show his way.

 

[Matt Collins]

Iowa isn't that big of a deal, but it would've been better if had higher numbers.

I agree, let's be patient and get through NH - our home turf!

IF we lose NH or come in below 3rd then we need to look at reorganizing.

 

[rexsolomon]

To those who have started finger pointing or started losing hope - don't!
Kindly read this and hopefully if you agree with it - withdraw your posts.

Please don't blame Ron Paul supporters in IOWA.

Look at the OVERALL picture.

Democrats voted for Obama.
Hillary and Edwards were seen as 'the same old ruling elite' and lost.
People really want CHANGE badly enough that a 95% white State is willing to vote for a black guy.

They only find it hard to trust a Republican.

Romney was beaten by Huckabee. A strong evangelical Christian presence in Iowa wanted to make a statement against a Mormon candidate. This religious aspect will likely not play out the same as Iowa in the rest of the States.

Thompson and McCain were always given time on the air by the main stream media - unlike Dr. Paul. And yet Dr. Paul is close enough to those two (~3%)that it is a dead heat. Dr. Paul is clearly ahead of the supposed Republican frontrunner Giuliani What more if Dr. Paul was given equal air-time?.

Check your assumptions! Don't lash out blindly.

People REALLY, badly want change.

Ron Paul can still win this, but several MAJOR things have to be done.

The PRIMARY mistaken assumption is that 'the message is perfect' - it is not. Each message must be refined and clarified so that it doesn't scare people. It must be re-packaged far better next time - enough to convince Democrats to vote for Dr. Paul.

The way we handle the MSM is another major item we must deal with. And there are several ways that we can do this effectively.

Other things will have to be done as well, but I cannot cover them all here.

Don't lose hope my friends. Ron Paul is the only real hope for America.

Be resolute.

 

[Matt Collins]

I somewhat agree with the OP, but do we really think that Ron Paul is going to listen to some hot-shot campaign manager? Win or lose, Ron Paul is running this show his way.

Yes- and as Anita said sometimes the candidates can be their own worst enemies. Unfortunately I think Ron is so used to Congressional races that him and his upper team are not quite experienced or in the mindset of a full-blown national campaign for President.

 

[GOILLINI121]

One of the best conversation starters I have with the new people I meet is to ask them how they feel about the presidential election. Then I always am able to plug Ron Paul, and recently in my area I have found that people sometimes know his name, but don't know what he is truly about. The problem is that while some people have simply not heard his name, others have but have no idea what he is about. I don't know about you all but Dr. Paul's ideas and explanations are what got me behind him, and I think it will work on others because I am a Democrat who as recently as this summer never thought I would vote for a Republican in my lifetime, much less one who is not necessarily representative of all of my views. We need boots on the ground, and we need a full court press on every available voter.

I guarantee you that many of those people that you saw on C-SPAN tonight and the people that were caucusing didn't know enough about Ron Paul to vote for him. The evangelicals came out because the tv and the pastor told them that Huckabee was their candidate and I am convinced that if someone would have spoken the truth to them like Ron Paul does to us then they could have been swayed. People understand reason when they hear it and that is why when you listen to Ron Paul, that is the single most important part of gaining your support.

We have gotten his name out there, but now we need to explain to people why he is the best candidate, or they will never vote for him, and the msm doesn't do a decent enough job of explaining his positions. The initial battle was lost, but the war is long from over and I think we are positioned extremely well to still get the nomination considering the plight of the other Republican candidates. Now we need to get out and talk to people, and tell them why Ron Paul is the best candidate, because it seems many American's are too lazy to do it themselves. I am encouraged from tonight, but this also shows us the amount of work that we need to do in order to get Ron Paul elected.

 

[Liberty_is_NORML]

I somewhat agree with the OP, but do we really think that Ron Paul is going to listen to some hot-shot campaign manager? Win or lose, Ron Paul is running this show his way.

I'm not sure that is the best idea...you hire a hot shot to do the things that you don't need to do:

* Decide on advertising strategy
* Arrange for pundits to appear in the media endorsing Ron Paul
* Provide for the political "connectivity" that is so crucial even though it may be unsightly

We need someone who isn't afraid to stir the pot a little.

 

[Joseph Story]

I've never seen such a bunch of babies. Football is 4 quarters, not 2. I’m not worried about Iowa and you shouldn’t be either. Expectations are far too weighted for Iowa. I have never believed in 3rd place especially with a straw poll showing of 5th place. So now for those of you who think Iowa actually means something, consider the year 2000. In the year 2000, McCain came in 5th in Iowa. Here are the results:

2000 IOWA Caucaus Results: Bush, 41%. Forbes, 30%. Keyes, 14%. Bauer, 9%. McCain, 5%. Hatch, 1%.

In 2000, KEYES AND BAUER BEAT MCCAIN? How could that be. Well guess who turned around and won NH in 2000? That’s right, McCain. After a paltry 5% showing he wins NH???

The campaign can't get the word out. You all can. This is just the beginning. So do it.

Instead of going after democrats and weirdos, start going after the voters that count--the likely Republican voters. Win them and you'll win Paul. It's that simple.

 

[Badger Paul]

If you think any top-gun GOP politico was going to work for Ron Paul you are crazy. Why would anyone like that work for someone so outside the GOP establishment. The national campaign is what it is like it or not. Yes they are inexperienced and untested in national politics. Thank God we do have a strong grassroots presence to offset this but since RP isn't going to firing anyone anytime is pointless to complain about.

And if you want to fire someone, start with the man at the top who thought it better to spend New Year's Eve and Day back in Texas reading poilicy books instead of campaigning in Iowa unlike Fred, who has more votes than we do right now. You don't think that didn't help? Paul spent the least amount of time there of all the candidates. Hardcore caucus goers aren't going to vote for a phantom.

We all have our complaints but its useless right now. Let's move forward and hopefully we'll ahve good showings in Wyoming and New Hampshire.

 

[davidhperry]

I've never seen such a bunch of babies. Football is 4 quarters, not 2. I’m not worried about Iowa and you shouldn’t be either. Expectations are far too weighted for Iowa. I have never believed in 3rd place especially with a straw poll showing of 5th place. So now for those of you who think Iowa actually means something, consider the year 2000. In the year 2000, McCain came in 5th in Iowa. Here are the results:

2000 IOWA Caucaus Results: Bush, 41%. Forbes, 30%. Keyes, 14%. Bauer, 9%. McCain, 5%. Hatch, 1%.

In 2000, KEYES AND BAUER BEAT MCCAIN? How could that be. Well guess who turned around and won NH in 2000? That’s right, McCain. After a paltry 5% showing he wins NH???

The campaign can't get the word out. You all can. This is just the beginning. So do it.

Instead of going after democrats and weirdos, start going after the voters that count--the likely Republican voters. Win them and you'll win Paul. It's that simple.

+1 (and welcome)

 

[Liberty_is_NORML]

Just to clarify...

I wanted Ron Paul to make serious changes in his campaign a long time ago...not just after a pretty good showing in Iowa.

The perceived low vote total is really not bad at all.