Where Have Grassroots Efforts been HARMFUL???

[ronpaulhawaii]

There is no reason why we cannot discuss what we've done wrong...

+1

...

If someone is turned off by a logo, or other shallow reason, they are neither intelligent nor aware.

...
The only reason we are not sweeping the Country is that most Americans are uninformed, Ignorant, and selfish...The Voters are stupid.

Am I reading this right?

 

[seeker1]

I love all the "It your fault" fingers being pointed

You guys crack me up.

We should all look like republicrats if we want to win republicrats. LOL

I can't believe you guys. I can't stop laughing.

Truthers are not welcome here, that probably is the reason there are only 625Currently Active Users. (279 members and 346 guests)

I guess the proof of the pudding IS in the eating.

Maybe you can alienate more people and you can get down under 500?

 

[JS4Pat]

1. The "R3volution" logo.

2. The Blimp.

3. Moneybombs.

4. Crazy Supporters

5. 9/11 Truthers

I don't really see any of these as "net" negatives. All of the things mentioned as possible shortcomings created energy and enthusiasm. This is who & what we are. It's what makes this movement so unique. I'm not a "9/11 Truther - but I'm glad they are part of this movement. For every little thing that pushes one person away - it more than likely attracts another. I know that this whole movement has personally made me a more tolerant person. (And I am very thankful for that)

Aside from the unfair treatment by the media and the establishment - I think the biggest problem was the lack of good sound leadership at the top with the ability to capitalize on the Grassroots. An enormous job - but there are certainly people out there that could do it.

 

[BarryDonegan]

9/11 Truthers definitely hurt.

Alex Jones as well.

how do you explain then other republicans who get elected despite the endorsement of Ann Coulter or Bill O'Reilly?

 

[jrich4rpaul]

I don't know who rated this thread so low.

These are issues that need to be addessed, or else we havn't learned a thing and 2012 won't be looking too good for us either.

 

[virgil47]

There only three things we should be doing. These are learn, adapt and move forward. Everything else is B.S. and counterproductive. There appears to be alot of whiney, young, me first types in the RP grassroots movement. They are not able to man up when they screw up. All they want to screech is "this negative stuff is hurting not helping". EXCUSE ME but if the slow joes in the grassroots movement refuse to learn from their obvious errors then the more erudite among us will hold their hands and try to explain what politics is all about. I've come to believe that the vast majority of loose cannons in the grassroots are really hoping for an armed revolution. With only 10% of the population at the very most supporting them it would be a very short and bloody conflict. Be very, very careful what you ask for as it just may come about.

 

[jcims]

This thread should be SOLUTION ORIENTED!

QFT! (had to use it some time or another)

I see two problems that need solutions.

1 - Developing an identity around the grassroots that will survive the general election no matter the outcome.

2 - Increasing the net positive impact of the grassroots in all areas.

Failures, if addressed correctly, are simply stepping stones to success. We've all heard some variation of that in our lifetimes, primarily because it is true. This thread is on page 6 without any particular progress towards the solutions that the quoted poster was asking for, so maybe the first step is to identify ways to engage the grassroots in acknowledging and analyzing areas where we have fallen short of our goals as a direct result of our own actions or inactions.

 

[Primbs]

This is a question I've been pondering for more than a month now as we've seen Ron Paul fight the good fight and encounter more difficulty than even many of our own pessimists expected.

As someone who has donated a lot, been involved (going to New Hampshire on my own dime to help out HQ before the primary), and as someone who understands politics reasonably well (Republican politics in particular) I think the Grassroots has to think about this. Before you criticize me for not having posted on the forum, I've been out in the field, and I've supported Paul for years. Therefore... What has hurt us? Really, honestly, objectively, what has?

Don't think of it in terms of "We love Ron Paul!" but in terms of the undecided or uninformed voter, or the conservative Republican who would probably support Ron Paul for economics but is turned off by something we've done.

Because Ron Paul himself makes a point of speaking about "blowback" and unintended consequences of foreign policy, let's have a REAL discussion about the "blowback" of our own Grassroots efforts that have gone poorly or turned off more voters than they've won.



If I had to make a list of the things I think that we could have done better or not done at all, it would look something like this:

1. The "R3volution" logo. I like it, personally. And I know most of you like it, too. But face it, folks: it turns off voters, especially older Republicans, who ought to be the people we appeal to with Old-Right calls to cut spending and end departments.

So, I think I personally can surmise that in creating a logo, our revolution failed miserably. Few who are honest with themselves will deny this; many of us have heard negative reactions from all kinds of voters about the logo. Catchy? Sure, but it's a niche. It only works among supporters and the die-hards. It doesn't win votes.

2. The Blimp. I know that there are many here who love or have loved the blimp. Despite my not posting here in the past, I have been a lurker on the forum for some time, infrequently. I can recall reading posts from people who felt that, literally, the blimp was the NUMBER ONE priority for Grassroots efforts. And yet, when we look at it from a standpoint of the average voter, what effect did it have?

Well, it generated free media coverage. That's good, right? But what kind? We have to remember that the blimp was covered in two uninspiring banners: "Ron Paul Revolution" and "Who is Ron Paul? Google Ron Paul." Why not something like "Save Social Security: Vote Ron Paul!"

I wouldn't be wild about it, but do I need to be? Do you? We are reaching out to other voters, not placating our own desires to be important.

Beyond that, the Blimp sucked nearly a half-million dollars from the Grassroots. The Grassroots could have won the state of Alaska for less than that spent on local ads. Hell... If we had spent just a fraction of that in the states we've come very close in: North Dakota, Minnesota, Washington, the outcomes might have been very different.

I'm an economist. We call that opportunity cost - what COULD we have spent it on.


3. Moneybombs.

Now. This is a testy subject, I know. I actually support the moneybombs and donated solidly for the first two. The problem is that our exclusive reliance on them thereafter (MLK day, New Year's Eve, 51st Anniversary) really short-changed the campaign when we could have helped them. If we take just the MLK day and 51st Anniv. moneybombs and move them each back a couple of weeks, the campaign would have had much more money to spend on South Carolina and Nevada, and Super Tuesday. Remember, you have to buy advertising at least two weeks in advance in most cases, perhaps more. We give the campaign money days before Super Tuesday and they can't use it for Super Tuesday.



The last thing I'm going to say is one I want you all to ponder, because I'm guilty of it too. Simply: I think that this grassroots effort has been too quick to jump on this or that idea, just because it came from one of our own. There's nothing wrong with brainstorming.

But. We have to remember that once we get a few people on board to tackle one small project that fails to be anything worthwhile, they just wasted their energy on that... and not on something else useful.

We all have limited resources... money and time. It's how we spend these that define success. Ron Paul's Freedom Revolution has barely begun. We have to rally around each other to come up with significant, big ideas that will transform this movement and the country.

The biggest idea yet? A freedom march on Washington. Let's storm the National Mall with cries of liberty, and they won't ignore us any longer.

Before, however, we must consolidate our efforts. That's what I hope to get us talking about here.

God Bless,

-Jess.

I have to disagree with all of these. Without these events, we would have a been a campaign just like Tancredo and Hunter. An unknown Congressman from Texas who had little impact. Because of the grassroots, money bombs, the Blimp the campaign made history.

Many professional political watchers marveled at Ron Paul's grassroots efforts. They liked the blimp because it was creative in an otherwise boring nomination process.

Ron Paul will have probably raised 40 million by the time it is all said and done. What do we remember, the tens of millions spend on radio ads or TV ads or a simple 400 thousand dollar blimp.

 

[MsDoodahs]

I don't know who rated this thread so low.

These are issues that need to be addessed, or else we havn't learned a thing and 2012 won't be looking too good for us either.

Exactly.

 

[hawks4ronpaul]

• Pushing pet issues (hijacking RP's candidacy) instead of pushing RP's 2008 presidential platform (maybe he crafted his platform carefully).
• Arguing that voters have to agree with "our" issues instead of showing how RP agrees with the voters' values/issues.
• Saying that "we" are going to take over the GOP and impose "our" issues (which is a neocon attitude that will generate a pitchfork mob blowback against RP and turn RP's project into an Iraq-like failure) instead of showing rank-and-file GOP how RP agrees with their issues/values (Constitution, strong national security, et.).

http://hawks4ronpaul.blogspot.com/

 

[eirrack77]

I’m amazed by all the talents that the Ron Paul supports have! All the videos, web pages, money bombs, blimp, bumper stickers, t-shirts, stamps, debate game etc… But I spent more time wasted look for how I could help!

I have been asking myself how it could be better.
********Organization********Structure ********Guidance*********
Ron Paul is who people need to hear from.

His website is great. I love too see all the money roll in and X-out the other candidates.
Here is what I think is needed.
***An official grassroots home page***
That is easy to find or comes up on first page. It should have what is needed to be done by the grassroots supporters. This info should come from Ron Paul’s campaign directly. At this point you can chouse to participate or not in that goal or task. It also should have many links to all the great talent within grassroots. We all have great ideas so that is what the forums are for, to put new ideas up for review by the official grassroots managers to put into action. The forums are all so for us to chat and compare notes. You should not let you’re feelings get hurt if some disagrees with your ideas.
This forum has been the best place for info but it is hodgepodged information. (What day is the march???) It should be or not be and on “An official grassroots home page” with a date. If all goal and task are set by the official grassroots managers, we would have less confusion and less time wasted look to see how to help. If I spent half of the time I wasted look for what is an official task I personally could have found more supporters. I sorry to say but we all muddy up the great ideas and there is no structure or guidance to the grassroots.

 

[CGMike]

• Pushing pet issues (hijacking RP's candidacy) instead of pushing RP's 2008 presidential platform (maybe he crafted his platform carefully).
• Arguing that voters have to agree with "our" issues instead of showing how RP agrees with the voters' values/issues.
• Saying that "we" are going to take over the GOP and impose "our" issues (which is a neocon attitude that will generate a pitchfork mob blowback against RP and turn RP's project into an Iraq-like failure) instead of showing rank-and-file GOP how RP agrees with their issues/values (Constitution, strong national security, et.).

http://hawks4ronpaul.blogspot.com/

I agree as well.... especially with the whole GOP takeover. Takeover is good, but barging into the establsimnet GOP and saying "you all are sheeple, its time for a revolution, leave now" isn't the way to go. Change begins from within, and we need the GOP party almost as much as they need us There are tactful ways of going about making change in the GOP, the first is by participating at the local level. I see all of these people making runs at the national level and that's great! But, it helps to make inroads at the local level too. My City's Local GOP has been resistant of us, and mostly because they think we're a flash in the pan (and we have our usual obnoxious supporters who hurt as well). We know we're not, but convincing these people will take some time and effort....They can be molded over time, i can see already. So get involved, stay involved and remember that ALL politics are LOCAL, whether at the City, County, State or National level.

 

[damoncrowe]

I just got asked by our regional coordinator to donate to Ron Paul Racing. I am sorry, but I
cannot fathom this benefitting Ron Paul or the liberty message. Sure NASCAR is big, but
come on. To me this is the kind of thing that, although "puts his name out there," detracts from the seriousness of Ron Paul and the message. People will laugh about this. Especially when the car consistently finishes poorly. This IMO is a bad image despite all of the good grassroots has accomplished.

 

[rpfreedom08]

lol the main stream media got a hold of so many of you it's ridiculous. First off there are passionate people all over the place on both obama's side and ron paul's side however most of the stuff they put in the MSM about Ron Paul supporters is either a lie or just erroneous. I don't doubt that the media knew they couldn't attack RP for much because his record and life are impeccable however they knew they could attack his supporters. Shame on you guys for being so damn gullible, buying in to the same media outlets that you guys so often condemn.

 

[1836]

I don't know who rated this thread so low.

These are issues that need to be addessed, or else we havn't learned a thing and 2012 won't be looking too good for us either.

Yes.

If we don't understand our flaws, in the sense that we don't see everything that may turn off potential voters, then we have learned truly nothing.

How many of you think that Ron Paul, given all of the money he has and a more confident campaign, COULDN'T have gotten 10% of the Republican base behind him? There are at least that many self-described libertarians in the Republican Party.

The grassroots, sure, made it easier to get there. But we also hurt ourselves without knowing it.

The 9/11 Truther bit is a key example. I saw in this thread that a few people said "Well, the 9/11 Truthers gave the Ron Paul Revolution energy."

Perhaps... but think of what else they did. The 9/11 Truthers, by being so open about that particular aspect of themselves, brought upon Ron Paul perhaps hundreds of questions in many interviews on television, the radio, and in print media about "9/11 truth" and whether or not he believed in it.

Even though he said no, if you are an older undecided voter who sees someone even being asked such an obtuse question, is that not going to change your opinion of him?

The addressing of these sorts of things within the grassroots will make or break this movement. You learn from your mistakes, or you don't, and you fail.

We must succeed... and know how to.

 

[hawks4ronpaul]

Overall bad=Google Ron Paul, Who is Ron Paul, Ron Paul Revolution

Those were good for an initial gimmick but ultimately not the most effective if we can judge by the number of people who still know little or nothing about him.

You can get 50 million people to see "Who is Ron Paul?" and a month later have all 50 million still know nothing about him.

Marketing is about grabbing an eyeball for a moment and giving the message then-and-there because it might be your only chance.

"Google Ron Paul" is getting your chance to give the message but your message is, "Hey pay attention to me, OK, here's the thing, I'll tell you later, if you can find me."

It expects the customer to do the legwork, instead of making the message unavoidable.

Imagine if you could get 50 million people to see "Ron Paul--Abolish the IRS and replace it with nothing."

They got a memorable message whether they wanted it or not and whether they took any further action or not.

Not only does "Abolish the IRS" give an issue message, the issue might incite far more talking and googling than "Google Ron Paul."

http://hawks4ronpaul.blogspot.com/

 

[Xenophage]

I actually think all the sign-waving and canvassing hurt us by increasing turn-out and interest in the primaries, while simultaneously irritating some non-supporters and getting them to turn out the vote for their own guys.

 

[1836]

You can get 50 million people to see "Who is Ron Paul?" and a month later have all 50 million still know nothing about him.

Wow, that's a succinct and true representation of the sort of thing that we've just plain screwed up on.

Wonderfully put!