Turning the cancelled Dec. 4th debate into a win for Ron Paul?

[JustAnotherV]

Like I lot of people I see that the Dec. 4th debate has been cancelled. This is unfortunate as there are not many left and these debates have previously been crucial for the campaign to get its message out to primetime.

I assume that congressman Paul's schedule was already blocked out for Iowa, so I was wondering if there is a way to hold a super-sized rally/speech, a self-run question answer session, and/or an open invitation to debate any and all other candidates on that day even without FOX. It might even be possible to garner some sort of main stream coverage of that event if it had enough support, but in any case, a strong and engaged presence in Iowa against the backdrop of this fumble could garner much needed support at a critical time. Without the debate itself, there is a need to fill the vacuum with something dramatic that makes use of the limited remaining time. If a statement was put out ahead of time, it might also be possible to lure in media attention while they are still somewhat warmed up from the recent fundraising coverage.

 

[theprolific]

Like I lot of people I see that the Dec. 4th debate has been cancelled. This is unfortunate as there are not many left and these debates have previously been crucial for the campaign to get its message out to primetime.

I assume that congressman Paul's schedule was already blocked out for Iowa, so I was wondering if there is a way to hold a super-sized rally/speech, a self-run question answer session, and/or an open invitation to debate any and all other candidates on that day even without FOX. It might even be possible to garner some sort of main stream coverage of that event if it had enough support, but in any case, a strong and engaged presence in Iowa against the backdrop of this fumble could garner much needed support at a critical time. Without the debate itself, there is a need to fill the vacuum with something dramatic that makes use of the limited remaining time. If a statement was put out ahead of time, it might also be possible to lure in media attention while they are still somewhat warmed up from the recent fundraising coverage.

well said

 

[JoeTB]

Make it happen!

 

[tonyr1988]

Great idea - I know that Iowa isn't the primary focus of the campaign, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. Especially if he was already planning to be in the area, there's great potential.

I really like the Q&A session idea. I think that Romney's "Ask Mitt Anything" have relatively large audiences, but I'm not positive. Still, people are convinced when they hear the man speak, so anything that he's present at will be awesome.

 

[jrich4rpaul]

I already emailed the campaign suggesting this, maybe more of us should. A rally/event would be a great benefit

 

[theprolific]

bump

 

[seapilot]

A rally on dec 4 in Iowa would be a booster IMO. Many Iowans 2000 already paid to go to that debate. Good PR for Dr. Paul and show he cares more about Iowans than Romney.

 

[JustAnotherV]

Emails

I already emailed the campaign suggesting this, maybe more of us should. A rally/event would be a great benefit

I had emailed the Iowa staff before posting this. I didn't want to swamp anyone, but it would be good if somehow we could get through to HQ/Iowa HQ to suggest and support this. If we can connect and they get the picture, then the organizers can handle it from there.

 

[JustAnotherV]

Targeting Iowa

Great idea - I know that Iowa isn't the primary focus of the campaign, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. Especially if he was already planning to be in the area, there's great potential.

I really like the Q&A session idea. I think that Romney's "Ask Mitt Anything" have relatively large audiences, but I'm not positive. Still, people are convinced when they hear the man speak, so anything that he's present at will be awesome.

It may not be the focus, but it is still a media darling. On the news they never go far before referencing Iowa and/or Iowa polls and discussing the leaders there. Huckabee is getting recognition based on almost nothing but his strong Iowa showing. Plus if Mitt slips from this, there may be some undecided people up for grabs (especially one that weren't that committed to him/foreign aggression).



I agree that anything he's at would be a plus, but there seems to be a preference there for dealing directly with the people, so questions or alternative debates (but who would accept...) might be a plus.

If I was the campaign manager I would put out an open invitation for a debate challenge with some quick statements and then all the questions coming from the people on various issues, and if no one would take it up, then just answer the questions on his own.

 

[ItsTime]

Big rally in Iowa. Last time they only expected 200 people 600 showed up. You all could easily get 1000 or more people! DO it!

 

[literatim]

Someone in Iowa could contact the Iowan campaign coordinator with this idea.

 

[AlexMerced]

Yeah, a big rally, this would be a good thing to spend a lot of that oney on some advertising, send the message that he cares about iowa even if romney doesn't

 

[GHoeberX]

Sounds like a really great idea! Big Rally in Iowa with the debates cancelled!

 

[AFM]

There is still a December 28th youtube debate as well as many others...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_debates
Nov 28, Dec 9, and 4 others.

 

[lynnf]

rally schmally

rallies are a dime a dozen...

think it would be better if it were something at least approximating a debate, like a town hall session or question-and-answer....



lynn

 

[JustAnotherV]

Only 2 confirmed debates left before Iowa

There is still a December 28th youtube debate as well as many others...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_debates
Nov 28, Dec 9, and 4 others.

The problem with this is that there are only 2 left (YouTube Nov 28, and Univision Dec 9th), which are solid dates and before Iowa. There are others but with a week showing in the early states they are unlikely to matter much and there should always be tougher exclusionary standards.

Less than 2 months before it all starts, with only 2 debates to potentially generate news, and if they are anything like the previous MSM ones (unless you count PBS), the questions will be horribly skewed. YouTube sounds nice, but between the last one, and other CNN debates including last night, I have no faith in them to give equal time to Ron Paul. There is a possibility with their recent coverage of him, but I'll believe it when I see it.

We can hopefully get some attention around the 15th/16th events, but need more news, and this is a perfect opportunity in a sweet/empty spot between YouTube and Univision. Also the more events and press before Dec 16th, the more likely that day is to take off big and get better coverage in it's own right, bringing momentum into the Holidays before the primaries start.

 

[JustAnotherV]

rallies are a dime a dozen...

think it would be better if it were something at least approximating a debate, like a town hall session or question-and-answer....

Assuming the campaign would do it, I agree. I also think it would make more news if it was explicitly put out there as a challenge to other candidates to fill the cancellation vacuum and also appeal to Iowa voters if it basically said that Ron Paul is coming no matter what, because he cares about what you have to say.

 

[tonyr1988]

Assuming the campaign would do it, I agree. I also think it would make more news if it was explicitly put out there as a challenge to other candidates to fill the cancellation vacuum and also appeal to Iowa voters if it basically said that Ron Paul is coming no matter what, because he cares about what you have to say.

"Ron Paul Challenges Other Candidates to Q&A from Iowans"

That would be a beautiful headline. It's good no matter what: if a lot of others show up, there's some media attention. If Paul's the only one, then you simply transform it into a normal Q&A, with Paul getting all the time.

 

[error]

I told FOX News and the Iowa GOP that, frankly, they should continue to hold the debate without Mitt Romney, because he's proven that he's not a serious candidate and that he doesn't have the proper respect for the people who he wants to vote for him.

And somewhere around here I still have my old Iowa voter registration card...

 

[FireofLiberty]

Was this the debate that all the candidates had to meet the 5% polling threshold in order to participate?

I also agree that they should just hold the debate without Flip Romney. If he doesn't want to participate, screw him. He's just one candidate. More time for all the other candidates to talk.

What does everyone think about starting an e-petition to get the debate be held with or without Romney? Good idea?