Why Isn't the Campaign Using Traditional Fundraising Tactics?

[Pheonix]

What I don't understand is why the campaign is depending on the grassroots and moneybombs for all of their fundraising. Why can't they hire some fundraising experts who can go out and host banquets for Ron Paul, charging a couple hundred dollars a plate to meet the guy? The way the Romney and Obama campaigns have raised money in past quarters is by appointing several dozen people the task of raising a couple hundred thousand dollars, and they go out to various communities to solicit funds; why doesn't the official campaign replicate this by hiring individuals dedicated for this specific job of collecting funds?

Also, why don't they copy Romney's fundraising scheme by hiring a couple hundred staff (or even having us volunteer) for a day to make thousands of phone calls to all of the RP supporters from 07 and 12, soliciting funds/pledges? People are more willing to donate when you talk to them in person. This argument from the campaign that we don't need Romney-style money doesn't make sense. We're running a campaign against the odds of polls, against the mainstream media, against 100 years of pre-established notions. Heck yes we need Romney-style money!

I don't understand why the campaign is placing their full reliance in the grassroots and moneybombs this time for practically all of their funds. They need to raise money via traditional means as well. We're no longer a grassroots campaign like in 07. We should be running a traditional top-tier campaign WITH a grassroots organization to support it even more.

I hope this is taken as constructive criticism for the campaign. I know they're trying their best, but I think these points may be beneficial for them to consider...

Also, I think they should set up a pledge page prior to entering the website (as all the other campaigns do), that way they'll have a larger email list of supporters to request for funds. Instead of asking the same 30k people for money each moneybomb, they could expand this to 100k easy by just having this pledge page (those numbers are made up). The grassroots always struggles to reach enough people for the moneybombs; this way the campaign can reach many times more people with just one email.

 

[Rocket80]

One of my fondest memories is having lunch with Ron Paul in Pasadena, CA on Sept. 12, 2007 for one of his fundraising events. Cost me $500, got a great picture and a couple autographs and actually stood in a very small group of people chatting with him for a good 5-10 minutes afterwards. I loved every minute of it.

I've been waiting months now for them to announce a similar sort of fundraising schedule but it doesn't look like it's happening...I'm holding out hope tho.

 

[TexMac]

I'm sure they're having fundraising dinners. I went to one in Mountanview, CA in July 2007, so I'm sure they're having them this time, too.

 

[Pheonix]

I'm sure they're having fundraising dinners. I went to one in Mountanview, CA in July 2007, so I'm sure they're having them this time, too.

They would've placed it in the campaign calendar as it would involve a visit from Dr. Paul; however, I have not seen even one this cycle.

 

[MJU1983]

I agree that a main page with an email sign-up or request for donations could be a good idea.

Dr. Paul has so many great quotes that could easily accompany his "Restore America Now" theme on a main page.

 

[libertarian4321]

Ron Paul doesn't have a ton of big money supporters like Romney, who will throw money at him in return for promises of favors.

Ron will be lucky to get $500 donors in big cities (NY, LA), and $100 donors in smaller cities.

We had a fundraiser here in San Antonio last time around. Got a good crowd at $100 a pop. I think they raised a bit over $30k for the day. He might raise a bit more in LA, but he ain't going to pull in $10 million a day like Romney.

Those with the money already donate, whether he shows up and shakes their hand or not.

These things take time and effort, both from the candidate and his staff. All this to collect money that he could probably get online anyway. At this point, it's probably NOT the most productive use of his time.

If he has time to hit a couple of big ones, fine, but skipping around to small events to earn 40 or 50k like he did last time probably isn't worthwhile.

The money bombs are far more effective, and don't take any time or effort on his part- time and effort that can be used for TV interviews or campaigning or whatever.

 

[TexMac]

They would've placed it in the campaign calendar as it would involve a visit from Dr. Paul; however, I have not seen even one this cycle.

I don't think they put them in the calendar. I was surprised by the one in Mt View, I didn't know about it until we got there. They had one at the Pittsburgh Rally, too - not sure about Philly, that was kinda rushed. I got the impression that they had them everywhere they went. It's just a few minutes, Ron shakes everyone's hand and poses for a few pics, makes brief remarks and he's gone.

ETA: They happen wherever the campaign goes. The ones I know about were when we had big rallies, but there were others I heard about that accompany other events.

 

[Paul4Prez]

I agree with the OP. Ron Paul should mix in some high-dollar fundraising dinners. I don't think he needs to hire anyone, just set a date and a city in advance. Big money volunteers can host them. I recall successful efforts in Los Angeles and Dallas last time. NY, DC, Las Vegas, and other cities might also work this time. Visits also lay the groundwork for strong results in primaries with lots of delegates later on. Mix in local radio appearances and public speeches.

 

[WilliamC]

It just seems more Ron Pauls style to do these types of events more off the screen than the other candidates.

Remember, Ron Paul is genuinely a humble man, and it takes some kind of inflated sense of self-importance to be selling yourself all the time like your typical politician.

I don't know if trying to be a celebrety would help Ron Paul so much, but that's just me, I'm not much attracted to most celebreties.

 

[Pheonix]

I don't think they put them in the calendar. I was surprised by the one in Mt View, I didn't know about it until we got there. They had one at the Pittsburgh Rally, too - not sure about Philly, that was kinda rushed. I got the impression that they had them everywhere they went. It's just a few minutes, Ron shakes everyone's hand and poses for a few pics, makes brief remarks and he's gone.

ETA: They happen wherever the campaign goes. The ones I know about were when we had big rallies, but there were others I heard about that accompany other events.

That seems to make sense. I know people threw RP house parties when he'd come for interviews the last time around with Jay Leno and I'm assuming others as well, e.g.

Hmm... I still think formal banquets (as opposed to visits/campaign stops), with recognized speakers (Rand Paul, e.g.) would be something we haven't done as of yet. Also, I think we could collect a lot through a phonebanking campaign requesting funds from RP supporters.

 

[Razmear]

Where Romney's money comes from:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/indus.php?cycle=2012&id=N00000286

1 Securities & Investment $2,339,588
2 Retired $1,719,752
3 Real Estate $1,023,575
4 Lawyers/Law Firms $868,740
5 Misc Finance $644,700
6 Business Services $613,450
7 Misc Business $331,800
8 Health Professionals $292,050
9 Commercial Banks $264,000
10 Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $223,101
11 Oil & Gas $185,000
12 General Contractors $183,300
13 Insurance $182,133
14 Accountants $177,401
15 Computers/Internet $163,625
16 Automotive $161,550
17 Education $139,150
18 Lodging/Tourism $100,450
19 Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $98,900
20 TV/Movies/Music $98,350

Where Ron's money comes from:
1 Retired $325,983
2 Health Professionals $102,161
3 Computers/Internet $94,240
4 Misc Business $74,004
5 Real Estate $59,278
6 Business Services $45,170
7 Education $44,998
8 Misc Finance $37,812
9 Lawyers/Law Firms $36,434
10 Securities & Investment $34,105
11 Other $33,937
12 Construction Services $30,569
13 Civil Servants/Public Officials $24,495
14 Hospitals/Nursing Homes $24,389
15 TV/Movies/Music $24,068
16 Oil & Gas $23,959
17 Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $23,608
18 Printing & Publishing $15,864
19 Retail Sales $14,445
20 Crop Production & Basic Processing $12,953

As Ron is not going to sell out to wall street, we will never have $12 Million dollar days like Romney, and we shouldn't need them as we have truth and justice on our side.

eb

 

[gerryb]

As Ron is not going to sell out to wall street, we will never have $12 Million dollar days like Romney, and we shouldn't need them as we have truth and justice on our side.

eb

This does not win campaign's for political office. Otherwise Ron would have been President in 1988. The campaign needs cash, and we as supporters need to become familiar with political technology and techniques for winning. http://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/

I agree, phonebanks should be utilized to get donors to pledge if goals are reached. We had 200k donors in 2 money bombs last time. The campaign should be able to get most of those folks to give more than they did last time. High dollar fundraising should be happening, too.

 

[The Free Hornet]

I agree that a main page with an email sign-up or request for donations could be a good idea.

Dr. Paul has so many great quotes that could easily accompany his "Restore America Now" theme on a main page.

Bachmann's page sucks, IMO. It is setup like a road block until you find the small link (visit ****.****.com). If I am researching someone and their front page has a pledge/donation roadblock, then I am not going any further. Ron Paul's page makes it very clear how to pledge, donate, get email updates, AND - most of all - research the issues. Not that anyone would care what Bachmann says as issues are not their thing.

 

[Suzu]

Bachmann's page sucks, IMO. It is setup like a road block until you find the small link (visit ****.****.com). If I am researching someone and their front page has a pledge/donation roadblock, then I am not going any further. Ron Paul's page makes it very clear how to pledge, donate, get email updates, AND - most of all - research the issues. Not that anyone would care what Bachmann says as issues are not their thing.

Bachmann's site doesn't even list a phone number. On the "Contact Us" page it does say "Contact us by phone or email" then goes on to list postal and email addresses but no phone number! It been that way for months.

 

[sailingaway]

They would've placed it in the campaign calendar as it would involve a visit from Dr. Paul; however, I have not seen even one this cycle.

I've seen a bunch. He just had one last week in NH. I don't post them because they are private parties. And I see no reason why the campaign would post parties everyone isn't invited to, either.

 

[specsaregood]

./

 

[erowe1]

I'm going to guess that the pricey fund raising dinners they tried in 2007 didn't net very much. I'm sure they'll happen. But they won't be the campaign's bread and butter the way they are for Romney.

As far as what counts for "traditional fund raising," it doesn't get much more traditional than sending out dramatic letters to all of his supporters asking for more money. I'm certain that other candidates are doing a lot of the same things RP is doing. Plus, RP has a much larger pool of small donors than the other candidates, so his strategy should capitalize on that advantage.

 

[erowe1]

I've seen a bunch. He just had one last week in NH. I don't post them because they are private parties. And I see no reason why the campaign would post parties everyone isn't invited to, either.

That's a good point.

Those types of things will obviously only happen in the states RP is already visiting for other reasons anyway. Big donors in the early 4 states may well be getting invited to them without people in other places knowing it.

If somebody wants to go to one of these things, then if he's ever visiting their state, or one nearby, they should email the state coordinator for the campaign there and ask if there are any fund raising dinners happening in that trip.

 

[JohnGalt23g]

As Ron is not going to sell out to wall street, we will never have $12 Million dollar days like Romney, and we shouldn't need them as we have truth and justice on our side.

eb

Truth and justice are all well and good, but they won't buy you ad time on IA and NH TV stations.

 

[Shane Harris]

i agree completely. lets be a top tier campaign.