Without Resolving these Key Issues, the Campaign Will Lose.

[achilles28]

1) The youth demographic MUST VOTE ON PRIMARY NIGHT.

This is Pauls "base" of support. He kills it amongst those under 40.

One problem: only 25% of all votes cast in Iowa, were made by those under 40!

The other 75% of total votes cast were made by those >40 years old!


Solutions: Pre-register voters for Ron, with address and pick-up times.

Pre-register volunteer car pools assigned to local areas.

Hire a private cab or bus service outside covered areas.


In terms of campaign strategy:

Identify key themes that particularly resonate with the youth.

Tailor internet and TV ads that appeal to the younger demographic (grow the base).

Other solutions?



2) The Campaign MUST REACH THE MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY

Ron gets killed amongst the middle-aged and elderly. His numbers are in the tank.

These are largely staunch, neocon Republicans who are happily accustomed to war and entitlements.

Sadly, this group comprises the Baby Boomer Generation, so their numbers are large.

Something must be done to appeal to the traditional notions of senior citizens and middle-aged.


Solutions: Additional demographic research is needed. For instance, identify top concerns for the middle-aged and elderly. Second, dig up our opponents record on those same issues, identify opposing votes, stances, views. Third, identify all instances where Ron supported and advanced those key issues/principles. Fourth, run ads/home phone/direct mail campaigns that high-light our opponents serial flip-flopping/hypocrisy/opposition to those sacred issues, while highlighting Rons support for them!

Other solutions?



3) The Campaign MUST REACH SELF-IDENTIFIED REPUBLICANS

Ron kills it amongst Independents. But he gets killed amongst self-identified Republicans.

Either he must move to the Party, or the Party must move to him!


Solutions: Again, more research is needed. Identify top concerns amongst self-identified Republicans (national defense, iran, the border, etc). Second, dig up our opponents record on those same issues, identify opposing votes, stances, views. Third, identify all instances where Ron supported and advanced those key issues/principles. Fourth, run ads/home phone/direct mail campaigns that high-light our opponents serial flip-flopping/hypocrisy/opposition to those sacred issues, while highlighting Rons support for them!

Other solutions?



This "problem-solution" attack method will help convert voters, cannibalize the opponents base, while expanding Rons. It's already the template for the "serial hypocrisy" ads, perhaps others. It's effective, and needs to be expanded, aggressively. Mitt, Santorum and Gingrich are open targets on a list of signature conservative issues (gun control, the border, carbon taxes, the deficit, the debt, regulation, the bailouts). We need to capitalize on these issues while we still have time.
http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/epolls/ia

 

[matt0611]

Good list.

I would also add :

4. Address the Foreign Policy Issue

Be clear that if we are threatened we will go to war etc. Seem more hawkish but at the same time don't, talk more like Rand does about foreign policy.This is the only policy that the other republicans can really go after us on.

 

[Moebedda]

2) The Campaign MUST REACH THE MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY

This is the demographic that watches TV for thier news and believes what they hear. There has to be a plan to put RP positive with the media.

3) The Campaign MUST REACH SELF-IDENTIFIED REPUBLICANS

Many of these people who I refer to Faux News Republicans. People who form thier opinions based on what they hear from Fox News, Hannity or Rush because they think that these coprorate entities actually have their best interest in mind. People that actually think Fox News is fair and balanced. I was one of them and the only way I broke free of that was to start investigating things for myself. I am not sure how to convince others to do the same though.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[achilles28]

Good list.

I would also add :

4. Address the Foreign Policy Issue

Be clear that if we are threatened we will go to war etc. Seem more hawkish but at the same time don't, talk more like Rand does about foreign policy.This is the only policy that the other republicans can really go after us on.

Ya, exactly. The entire GOP intends smear Ron as a p*ssy. He needs to demonstrate, unequivocally, he'd take America to War, without hesitation, if attacked. Underline his vote on the Afghanistan War, use of force against Bin Laden etc.

Also, when it comes to axing the budget- like SS, Medicare, all the Departments - don't just say 'get rid of this, or that'. Always emphasize these programs can be maintained, at the State level, if the States want. Sell the 10th Amendment as a viable and legal alternative to all these social safety nets.

 

[jmdrake]

Good list.

I would also add :

4. Address the Foreign Policy Issue

Be clear that if we are threatened we will go to war etc. Seem more hawkish but at the same time don't, talk more like Rand does about foreign policy.This is the only policy that the other republicans can really go after us on.

5. Ron Paul has to get the independents out to vote. I haven't seen the breakdown of how many independents voted last night, but I'm willing to bet it was less than expected. And I think the newsletter issue had something to do with that. I believe we can beat that and the "compassion" ad is a good start.

 

[matt0611]

Ya, exactly. The entire GOP is intent to smear Ron as a p*ssy. He needs to demonstrate, unequivocally, he'd take American to War, without hesitation, if attacked. Underline his vote on the Afghanistan War, use of force against Bin Laden etc.

Also, when it comes to axing the budget- like SS, Medicare, all the Departments - don't just say 'get rid of this, or that'. Always emphasize these programs can be maintained, at the State level, if the States want. Sell the 10th Amendment as a viable and legal alternative to all these social safety nets.

Yep, having these positions is not an unwinnable characteristic either. Bush and Obama basically had the same foreign policy. (before they got into the white house that is)
Obama campaigned on peace, no more nation-building, not more wars, bringing the troops home etc

Americans want PEACE, it just has to be framed in the right way as to not sound weak.

 

[LibertyEagle]

2) The Campaign MUST REACH THE MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY

Ron gets killed amongst the middle-aged and elderly. His numbers are in the tank.

These are largely staunch, neocon Republicans who are happily accustomed to war and entitlements.

Sadly, this group comprises the Baby Boomer Generation, so their numbers are large.

Something must be done to appeal to the traditional notions of senior citizens and middle-aged.

I have a suggestion. Stop calling them neo-cons. MOST ARE NOT and it is insulting as all hell!

 

[achilles28]

Yep, having these positions is not an unwinnable characteristic either. Bush and Obama basically had the same foreign policy. (before they got into the white house that is)
Obama campaigned on peace, no more nation-building, not more wars, bringing the troops home etc

Americans want PEACE, it just has to be framed in the right way as to not sound weak.

Ya, exactly. Hear, hear!

 

[achilles28]

I have a suggestion. Stop calling them neo-cons. MOST ARE NOT and it is insulting as all hell!

Haha. I take it you were!

 

[achilles28]

5. Ron Paul has to get the independents out to vote. I haven't seen the breakdown of how many independents voted last night, but I'm willing to bet it was less than expected. And I think the newsletter issue had something to do with that. I believe we can beat that and the "compassion" ad is a good start.

You're correct.

In most Iowa polls, indie participation was estimated at 30%. Turnout was ~25%.

And yes, the compassion ad is critical and necessary. We need more "character ads" that illuminate Pauls humanity and generosity - especially towards blacks - to combat the newsletter smears. The Campaign has to stop downplaying Rons virtues. A contradiction, I know.
http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries/epolls/ia

 

[Kevin Smyth]

I have a suggestion. Stop calling them neo-cons. MOST ARE NOT and it is insulting as all hell!

If they love a pro-war neocon foreign policy then they are neocons.

 

[JohnM]

2) The Campaign MUST REACH THE MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY

I saw the "Staying on the Right Path" ad as quite effective in going after the elderly, conservative voters.

3) The Campaign MUST REACH SELF-IDENTIFIED REPUBLICANS

I don't know, but I think that it might help if Dr Paul ruled out a third party run.

I have a suggestion. Stop calling them neo-cons. MOST ARE NOT and it is insulting as all hell!

Most of the middle-aged and the elderly are old enough to remember that originally, neo-conservatives were Democrats and liberals who had become Republicans, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly because they thought the Democrats were soft on communism and military policy.

 

[Travlyr]

5. Ron Paul has to get the independents out to vote. I haven't seen the breakdown of how many independents voted last night, but I'm willing to bet it was less than expected. And I think the newsletter issue had something to do with that. I believe we can beat that and the "compassion" ad is a good start.

Independents are key in both open primary and general elections.

 

[Badger Paul]

Whatever else happens I can be content to know the future is ours.

 

[archangel689]

On The youth vote: I'll say this, from my experience in college, they're lazy. They'll be sitting around in their dorm room on caccus night. We should organize groups to go in the dorms and DRAG them out if we have to and bus them to the polls.

Old people goto the polls because they've been going every year for forever...

 

[tempest]

2) The Campaign MUST REACH THE MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY

They only response to FEAR.

Their votes are all based on fear of something

So basically we need the baby boomers to get scared the sh*t out of something

Some ways of doing that: TSA is gonna cause you radiation

In other words don't just tell them that these things are bad for America, but tell them they are bad for YOU, bad for YOUR children & grand children...

But be careful and not simply attack "the government" in general but use more SPECIFIC terms like this or that department. Otherwise they might start moaning about medicare or something.

 

[TonySutton]

According to the campaign they got exactly what they needed last night, getting county delegates elected. This was a major focus for the campaign. Everything else was smoke and mirrors. A strong showing by Santorum, who has no money and no infrastructure, sucked votes away from Gingrich, Perry and Bachman. This should force Bachman and Perry out, while also damaging an already weakened Gingrich campaign.

Santorum will be easy pickings just on his 2nd amendment record in the Senate. Expect to see Santorum take a dive next. This leaves the staggering Gingrich and Huntsman who has his daddy's money. A strong showing in NH will kill Huntsman who will not do good in SC or LA and who will be hard pressed to steal Romneys mormon voting block in NV.

I am feeling very good about where we stand today

 

[fc2008]

He should never talk about cutting 1 trillion while leaving out he is the only guy who will preserve SS and Medicare for those who receive it. No republican wants to be told they are dependent on government. But that's Rons favorite line when talking about SS and Medicare.

 

[LEK]

I think their biggest fear is Social Security - part of entitlements on the above list.

I understand their angst - they paid into it, they planned for it, they want their fair share. As I understand it, Ron Paul wants to leave it alone for those who paid into it but wants to give the younger folks the choice to opt out of it. Is that right? If so, it needs to be made crystal clear.

We have heard for years and years that SS is bankrupt - but people keep getting their checks - when THAT stops, people will listen - but then it will be too late.

 

[jay_dub]

We paid $400+ Billion last year in interest alone on the debt. That number is projected to be near $1 Trillion annually by 2020. That should scare anybody. Think of all that could be done with that money. It's the best argument I know of for cutting spending and reducing the debt. If we stay on this path, none of the programs everybody likes will be affordable. People need to truly UNDERSTAND this.