Too Much of a Good Thing? A Word From NH
Posted December 21st, 2007 by Jane Aitken
This is an open letter to all Dear Ron Paul supporters:
I am sure that many of you are sick of me posting about how many ads I hear each day, how many phone calls are made to my land line, and how many mailers I have gotten. But it's true. We have a wide ranging and well-organized campaign going on here in NH despite what the media has sometimes inferred in their 'reporting'. There has been some concern about the 'grassroots' and about things they are thinking of doing outside the campaign. Here is some advice that agrees with mine, from Dr. Jim Forsythe, one of the Meetup organizers and the fellow who made the great speech at Tea Party Boston. He also works with the campaign very closely and knows what goes on. I hope you will take his advice.
- Jane
Too Much of a Good Thing?
I wanted to post an update of what is going on in New Hampshire, since all eyes seem to be focused on us. I’ve seen e-mails, posts, blogs, etc, about the campaign in New Hampshire that seem to bear little relation to reality, so I wanted to try to provide a counterbalance to those posts.
As a Meetup coordinator in New Hampshire, I’ve had a lot of people contact me wanting to help in this state. The outpouring of support and offers to help have been truly outstanding and gratifying. However, there has also been some help that has been undesirable, and downright harmful to our efforts here. I’ve said several times that Ron Paul's best asset is his supporters. But they are also his biggest liability. There can truly be “too much of a good thing”.
Current Status of the Campaign
I’ve worked a lot with the official campaign. Many of the hired folks are people I worked with on the grassroots level before they got hired. Although many are young, they are smart and extremely motivated. Several of them gave up high paying jobs with no hope of going back in order to get Dr. Paul elected, so their dedication is not to be questioned. It’s a small staff (10) but they have worked extremely well to leverage the energy of all the supporters. They tend to keep very quiet about what they are doing since they don’t want the “competition” to know what they are up to, and therefore they get far less credit than they deserve. Things that have been done, and my perception of them:
Direct Mail: The direct mail is easily the best of any Republican's, if not the best of anyone's on both sides of the aisle. They have probably sent out a total of 10-20 direct mail pieces, all of high quality. Many of these pieces were targeted to the recipient. For example, homeschoolers all got a flyer on homeschooling, and Dr. Paul’s protection of their rights. Those that care about sovereignty got a nice flyer on that, etc. The one that went to all Republicans was a beautiful 8-page beautiful piece.
Radio: I have heard as many or more ads for Dr. Paul on the radio as any other candidate. It’s blasting the airwaves. A day won’t go by where I won’t hear several radio ads on several popular stations.
Phones:Our phone banks are almost always constantly manned, and we don’t let up. Also, the campaign has done a lot of targeted auto-calls with some great messages. We have tons of coverage over the phones.
TV: I have to admit, I don't watch much TV. People didn’t like the original ad, but the more recent ones are very good. The one that came out today, I thought was great. (Note: I've seen them at all hours of the day and night, on many stations. - J)
Canvassing: We are getting a lot of people knocking on doors, largely thinks to www.operationlivefreeordi.... But we can always use more people!
Visits: Dr. Paul has spent a lot of time out here over the last month. We will never get enough of him, and unfortunately have to share him with Iowa, S.C., Michigan, etc. But he is definitely working hard, and shaking a lot of hands. And the people that meet him love him.
As you can see, the campaign is hitting things very hard. They are serious about New Hampshire.
Too Much Help
With as much as the campaign, local supporters, and Operation Live Free or Die folks are doing in the state, it is very easy to get “too much help”. Some examples:
Some folks outside the state have decided to do “auto-calls” on their own. Given the amount of auto-calls the campaign is doing, this is getting on peoples nerves. Also, someone forgot to take the time zone into account, and people were getting calls in the middle of the night!!! You can’t imagine how painful it is for us to hear “I was supporting Ron Paul, but all this calls are pissing me off, and I won’t vote for him”. This has happened several times, and is really a problem. If you know who this is – STOP IT. In fact, this is hurting so much, I wonder if it is coming from one of our opponents.
Some folks have come into the state, and handed out flyers for marijuana, or 9-11 truth. That’s help we DON'T need. No matter what your opinion is on these things, you don’t hand this stuff to someone you don’t know well! We almost had a die-hard meetup member drop out because of this. The key to winning people over is to find out THEIR issue, and speak to that. Don’t push your issue. If you come out to NH, please keep this in mind.
Many people, including myself, are concerned about vote-count, voter fraud, etc. Many third party organizations are talking a lot about this. But I have talked to the campaign and sincerely believe that the campaign's plans should handle this. Third parties coming into New Hampshire, who are not familiar with what goes on here, could actually hurt us. Please leave this to the New Hampshirites, and the campaign. We’ve got plans we can’t talk about.
Might Help, Hopefully Won’t Hurt
There are some things people can do that might help a bit, and I think hopefully won’t hurt.
Letter Writing: I know there are some campaigns to write letters to NH. I think this is pretty unobtrusive and could help a bit, and shouldn’t really hurt. The important thing is to have a good message on the letters. Stay away from anything controversial. Maybe just say that you support Ron Paul, and hope that the folks in NH will consider him. Don’t focus in on issues that they may disagree on.
So How Can People Help?
Work on your own state. It's looking likely that this will be a brokered convention, and we need to get delegates wherever we can get them. With the hugely successful fundraising, this is going to be a national campaign, and the eggs are no longer in one basket (NH). There are 20+ states that will have caucuses and primaries on Super Tuesday. With the large grassroots we have, we can compete in these if people start working now.
Here is a good website for canvassing training and other ideas:
Ron Paul Reveres
Come out to NH ASAP as part of www.operationlivefreeordi.... If you can’t come out, please donate to that effort (using the donate tab on their site).
Donate to the campaign. The next effort is New Year's Money Bomb The $4.3M, and $6.0M has really gotten people talking in NH, and taking Dr. Paul seriously. Breaking $20M will as well.
The blimp has also created a lot of buzz. Reporters in NH are dying to ride on it. Make sure it gets to NH by donating at Ron Paul Blimp.
I hope all this information helps. I am so happy that folks from around the country want to help us win New Hampshire!
- Jim Forsythe
Bookmark/Search this post with:
"I wonder if it is coming from one of our opponents."
"... people were getting calls in the middle of the night!!! You can't imagine how painful it is for us to hear "I was supporting Ron Paul, but all this calls are pissing me off, and I won't vote for him." This has happened several times, and is really a problem. If you know who this is - STOP IT. In fact, this is hurting so much, I wonder if it is coming from one of our opponents."
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I know for a fact that this is a favorite tactic of the Democrats! I have no doubt whatsoever that the neocon Republicans would stoop to using this tactic, as well.
RP NH update
if I got a call in the middle of night for RP I might say the exact same thing at the moment,that I'm not voting for Ron Paul now...but at the end of the day,[the next morning to be exact]the choices for President have not changed..its still Rudy Julie-
Annie,HITLERy,a huckster & a handful of other awful CFR- NWO- neocon choices that make us flock to Ron Paul in the first place..don't worry..they will be back..
Thanks for the Information!
It's refreshing to hear a local account of what's going on! Good Luck and keep up the great work!
Mike
Who is Ron Paul? I am Ron Paul! We are Ron Paul!
"Fire Team for Freedom" on RonPaulRadio.com
Mondays and Wednesdays 10pm EST
or visit www.mikeandjake.com
Questions about vote fraud not answered
Texas Liberty Lady
I asked Jane a number of questions under the title "Campaign has vote fraud under control?". I got no answers really.
Thanks for responding Jane. However ballot security is not a secret or even a covert plan. I have conducted many of them including one for a successful Presidential race. I know all about training etc.
N.H. law states that "anyone", the "public" and special "interest groups" are allowed to watch the vote, the count, and get final totals. The reason for calling these totals in is to impede changing totals in transit or upon arrival to various news sources etc.. This is not a new idea.
Rand Paul has publicly asked volunteers to watch the count. On a conference call several weeks ago someone asked Rand if he had talked to the campaign about a ballot security program. His response was that the campaign didn't always listen to him.
What is the campaign plan? Why won't they work with other groups?
Thanks.
ronpaulrevolutionsign.com
What an amazing post! Its a big relief to get on the ground information. Great advice.
I hope everyone is doing what they can to wave signs, and hold rallies. If you need a really good sign for the evening, check out these AWESOME Ron Paul Revolution signs, made from Christmas lights. You can build them yourself, or purchase one from these avid supporters at ronpaulrevolutionsign.com. Check out the photos, they are awesome!
Every meetup should have one! spread the word!
Fantastic idea, and well described!!
I've added it to Most Effective Contributions for Ron Paul
reLOVEution,
Dennis
"The best way to insure implicit obedience is to commence tyranny in nursery." - Disraeli
Thanks a lot !! The signs will really stand out!
An actual link to the photos and site is: http://ronpaulrevolutions...
Happy Holidays everyone! Enyoy it, then get back to work ;-)
Also, get one of these AWESOME signs: http://ronpaulrevolutions...
The Year End Candidate Awards Up
Ron Paul has one the award for most authentic candidate.
Check out the other winners at
www.wakeuplate.com
An Honest Vote Count
Jane,
I'm glad to hear you and Jim are concerned about an honest vote count. Dr. Rand Paul, Ron Paul's son, stated both he and his father are in favor of TRANSPARENCY concerning the voting process. I would like to know how would more TRANSPARENCY in watching the vote count and reporting the results HURT Ron Paul? This issue is too important to just trust the campaign to some "secret" plan. I agree with Ron Paul, the more TRANSPARENCY the better! We ALL need to work together to bring this about.
The campaign's plan is not "secret"
the campaign's plan is not "secret," they just cannot talk about it in public and it's not something someone can just jump in and do, you have to contact your regional office and get info and, I think, some sort of training? I dunno, but anyway, there is a plan and it is being worked on openly with those who want to take place.
CALIFORNIA
With California's new non-winner take all delegate system, I think my state should be a much bigger focus right now. Dr. Paul could come in 3rd in California and still come away with tons of delegates...
Also, in general, his message resonates with the Republicans in California, who are more libertarian than anything. Other than abortion, he is probably spot on here as far as decriminalization of drugs, the war, etc.
Thridly, with the gerrymandering that has happened with the districts here, there are many districts with very very few registered Republicans. Targeting some of these districts here could pay off huge.
That's my take.
Bump to this post...too much
Bump to this post...too much focus on Iowa and New Hampshire. New Hampshire is getting oversaturated. I understand the whole "we need to win the early primaries", but that isn't going to guarantee us votes in the later states. Now that we know that the official campaign is taking care of business in New Hampshire. Projects should start focusing on all other states in order of their primaries/caucuses.
New post on Ron Paul
There is a new post on Ron Paul at
www.wakeuplate.com
Jane, I have a question about the recorded calls you get
do they leave a message on your answering machine if you don't pick up?
Good question!
Some of them did and some didn't. At first I thought it was GOP groups looking for money so I did not pick up 1-877, 1-800, 1-866, or 1-000-000-0000 numbers.
But then I thought, these could be polls! (And of course if it says Texas on it I pick it up after Dr. Paul himself, surprised me one day, and I almost didn't!)
But a few left a recording. They were totally automated. Others have had a human saying hello, please wait for a message from Dr. Paul.
The last one had a glitch, but they were aware after I called Kent to let him know.
Way back in Feb when it was just Kent bringing Ron to my party in NH, I did not know what was going to happen. I just know the gang surprised me and opened their pockets for Dr. Paul and were applauding him as he walked out the door into the snowy night. But now I feel like he's been carried away on the wave of his supporters who have worked their fannies off to get his name out there. I had no doubt in my mind that if this could be done people would respond. To know him is to love him!
I nearly cried when I saw that CBS report someone posted in the comments. I felt it was highlighting a significant turning point in the campaign, not just for us, but for the MSM who now sees the support is real.
Please if you have an important video like this that you have found, write me so I can get it up front where everyone will be sure to see it.
Thanks, that's interesting to know...
I never answer my land-line phone (except for family & friends) - sometimes I wonder if I should, though our Primary is so late in the game - I don't think any of them would be calling us yet.
Very Good Post
!!
The goal is to get Ron Paul
The goal is to get Ron Paul nominated, not to push our own special interests during the campaign.
Ron Paul
Ron Paul is in third now in New Hampshire. He should probably even finish higher in percentage than he is polling. I used to not think much about him. I find him a little awkward and I thought he was strange at first, now after all you supporters have taken over my website www.wakeuplate.com I have been thinking differently from the many post everybody posts that seem to boost Ron Paul.
Check out www.wakeuplate.com for Videos the Real Mitt Romney and vote in my poll. Ron Paul has 73%.
www.wakeuplate.com
authenticity is not an overrated quality for a politician!
Indeed, it is so rare that we feel we have struck gold. It's Dr. Paul's principaled voting record and the way he leads his life...no taking of special interest money, no hint of scandal (only smears, but hell, even Mother Theresa has been smeared).
He takes positions that turn other candidates' knees to jelly, as it's been said, and it's just so refreshing to hear him express himself in such a straightforward manner...unlike the desparately triangulating Hillary.
btw, welcome to the dailypaul. It's great to hang out here...you can learn so much. (I sure have!) Come and get to know all these great folks, and I know we'll be visiting you more frequently. We'll make a believer out of you yet! ;-)
I have a BETTER IDEA
Just call up the fine residents of New Hampshire at 2 in the morning and demand that they vote for Rudy or Mitt, and give them all the reasons why. Talk about a terrorist attack! Just go on and on about stopping another 9/11.
GASP!
Funny but no no no! :::shaking my schoolteacher finger at you:::
I know you're joking
Freedom of speech- but not freedom to harass.
Just thought you might find this interesting...
It is well known that Ron Paul does not get the fairest media coverage, especially on talk radio. This may help explain that a little:
http://www.chrisbrunner.c...
Apparently, Mitt Romney's company has been involved in a deal to buy Clear Channel Communications, home of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and just about every other talk host.
Maybe that is why talk radio seems to be owned by Mitt Romney...
because it is.
PHONE CALLS coming from OPPONENT..
Jim--
Just a suggestion, but THAT IS EXACTLY what I would say if you get ANY DISGRUNTLED people complaining about phone calls late at night, etc. I would just assume it may be coming from our opponents, and how can it hurt to suggest that. I mean, I cannot believe RP supporters aren't considering the TIME CHANGE difference.
However, we do find it credible some are handing out literature about marijuana, or 9-11. We totally agree with you, although as much as the Media has tried to align our campaign with the 9-11 believers, it wouldn't surprise me if there are some opponents doing that.
Still, people need to keep these CONTROVERSIAL subjects to themselves. It is critical we keep our approach simple and to the point, and letters should focus on key issues, and should be designed after the "standard letter" for each state!
We like ALL your points, and we believe that MOST supporters are looking at taking the lead from the individual offices they're working with. We are heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa right after Christmas. We can't wait!! Good luck to ALL of you.
Carl & Laura Pivonka
Campaign has vote fraud under control?
Texas Liberty Lady
Many of us have grieved over this for months and have not been able to get any commitment from the campaign that they will be involved with a ballot security program. Yet just a few days ago Rand Paul made a plea for volunteers to watch the vote counts in N.H. because he was concerned that votes would be stolen from his father. And now this letter tells us that ballot security has been "taken care" of by the campaign.
I have personally heard reports that the largest meetup groups in N.H. will not work with some people who are trying to recruit and train get poll watchers because of directions from the official campaign who evidently don't want them to "interfere". (One of these reports came directly from a member of one of the groups on a conference call)
So if the campaign won't coordinate with existing groups and have directed meetup groups not to work with these groups, is the campaign personally recruiting and training enough volunteers to cover all the precincts?.There are urgent calls to action on various New Hampshire websites for Ron Paul volunteers which seems to negate that this situation is under control..
Fortunately in N.H. ANYONE can watch the elections (no appointments necessaray), watch the count, and obtain the totals. So the only problem is to get enough volunteers to man the precinct and it seems that there is the official campaign is saying to layoff, we have it under control, yet other groups supporting Ron are pleading for help on some of their websites in N.H.. (Secretary of State's office, Elections Division handbook for election officials)
Jane, I'm assuming that you know the answer to these questions:
1) is the campaign organizing to protect the vote and if so shouldn't there be something on their website?
2) wouldn't it be expedient for the campaign to work with other groups who are also organizing?
3) in the campaign's organizational structure have they made provisions for Ron Paul supporters
a. to watch the election,
b. watch the count and
c. obtain the totals
d. call them in to local newspapers, elections division and a central
calling station manned by the campaign or their appointees.
Many, many of us do not want this to happen again. And from Rand Paul's own word neither does he or the family. No one wants to "interfere" and hurt Ron. On the other hand, we don't want another Iowa incident when we were assured by the campaign that the votes would be counted in the open and to quit calling the GOP. We did and Ron unfairly lost that straw poll. So it was NOT under control.
So please, can you give us assurances that this time the campaign actually does have the matter under control and give some details please. This is not "strategy" that can't be discussed.
The campaign has said they have a plan.
The campaign has said they have a plan and are telling people to call their regional office and say that they are available to help, so they are recruiting people to handle this issue. A thread was posted just a couple days ago about this on ronpaulforums. However, they CANNOT talk about this in public, so it is not as open as you might like it to be. This is frustrating, but the word must be spread through our superior grassroots connection. Yes, there is a plan, and yes, we can all help.
Yes...
There is a procedure for poll watching in NH. I am VERY familiar with this since my group, CNHT, (remember that little old straw poll we had in July and the woman standing in front of the monster trucks to get their ticket money like it was Tiananmen Square? LOL) does this on a regular basis. We are in fact the main organization that concerns ourselves with this activity. There are rules, training, etc, but it can and will be done. They don't just allow anyone from another state to barge in and count.
Having said that, I imagine anyone can run an exit poll on the outskirts, and have the Ron Paul voters sign in with them if they care to...trouble is, would they all bother? I don't know.
We need more of these reports from the front.
It would be great if someone took some time to regularly give feedback about what we are doing that is working/not working, and would tell us what is happening on the ground.
reLOVEution, Dennis
"The best way to insure implicit obedience is to commence tyranny in nursery." - Disraeli
I have been trying to...
But some have told me to shut up basically!
In any case, I just heard another radio ad I never heard before. Ron compares himself to the other on immigration. He says Rudy made NY a sanctuary city, McCain proposed amnesty, and Huckabee wanted to give benefits to illegals to send them to college...I thought it was great. Finally, he mentions them by name!
Also got another mailer today, #13, about Interstate 5, CANAMEX, Camino Real, and NAFTA Superhighway, which is the Canadian's official name for it.
There is a map on the front showing where these are.
I agree.
I went the the Boston Tea Party in Boston. I was sitting on the right side of the room in the Black ARMY sweater watching the speakers. One kid who was helping with the laptops eventually walked to the back of the room, but not before parading past the guest speakers his laptop in hand, monitor up. He was holding it at chest level and there was a sticker on the back that said, "9-11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB." in plain view.
I'm sure he appreciated getting his point out like that, but there is a time and a place for everything. That wasn't one of them.
Stop Auotcalling
I think all telemarketing should stop, whether from the campaign or privately. Have you EVER liked getting a call from a telemarketer? I know I haven't. I don't even want to get calls from the Ron Paul campaign, I sure don't want to have to field calls from every candidate in the race, it would drive me crazy.
Free and Brave
or Cradle to Grave
You can't have both
I hear what you're saying,
I hear what you're saying, but consider this for a moment.
What about all the people that dislike:
- Being bothered in public (there goes all the volunteers in NH going door to door)
- Being bothered by any type of Slimjims
We're trying to take our country back, sometimes, it's not very pretty.
Careful Randy...
There will be a lot of 'we should have done more' and finger pointing going around if we fall short of the requisite 50% of delegate votes next year. This campaign is powerful and bottom up, and if cold callers or auto calls are treating others they way they would want to be treated [absolutely no antagonizing] then God bless them all. For me, I'm now going door to door in my neighborhood, putting large signs on friends property in parts of the town that will be seen by everyone. It's a collective effort, and cold calling, auto calling, respectfully done, may be the difference in getting 50%.
No 50%, no Ron Paul for president.
We must get the Blimp to NH
Come on people, we can make this happen!
Thanks
Thanks to Jane and Jim for keeping us updated on the situation.
Keep up the good work and thank you for your efforts!
Please ask RP to buy more adspace for that new Christmas Ad
This Christmas ad is fantastic:
http://www.youtube.com/wa...
The only problem is that it doesn't have a floating cross to compete with Huckleberry on who's the better Christian. :-)
And what is with the twinkle in his eye when he looks at his first and only wife of 50 years? Good Heavens, there are children watching these commercials. They might take that to heart.
Agrees , that was awesome
Loved the twinkle in his eye, talk about a match made in Heaven! (thought your floating cross comment was funny, in a sad kind of way.) Hope my kiddies do take that to heart, pray my husband and I will be so in love in 40 years.
Big Props, Jane!
Thanks very much for passing that on! Grassroots projects in all 50 states. Go people, go!
Not
I would not worry a second about someone falling away from Ron Paul because of his support getting obnoxious in some way. If you don't know them, the fact is they were probably never Ron Paul people, and if you know for a fact they were, then they surely are not thinking like a Ron Paul person. I positively disagree with some people I have heard support him, but his message is about the individual and I am very proud of the fact that this "group" of individuals are such a diverse "ungroup," to coin a phrase. If we were ALL like me, Ron Paul would not be winning.
People who are disenfranchised have a tendency to strike out in unacceptable ways to express their uncomfortable feelings, but when they find "the true and right way," which is embodied in Dr. Paul, I sincerely think their behavior will become more balanced and acceptable as a whole. Being accepted by our "ungroup" and giving their money to be used in an outstanding manner, will give them a better focus. As Dr. Paul says, "group" rights divide, individual rights unite.
I am just really encouraged to know that the early primaries are so thoroughly covered. That is outstanding.
A lot of it is perception.
I work in political advertising.
More than 50% of the goal in shaping a candidate's race is perception and image.
They WILL change their minds out of spite or a friend's scathing denounciation. It happens all the time. Why do you think smear tactics are such a big part of the election game?
People surprisingly act more firmly when they 'believe' something as opposed to them 'knowing' something.
There are many of us who only like to know things. But there are many more who need to 'believe' as well.
It's an emotional thing largely. Just don't outright piss them off. Touch their sensitive buttons a bit, but piss them off and they'll close the door quicker than a camera flash.
adam sandler
remember its like happy said remember your happy place, and spread it around.
I'm not so sure...
RP may have reached critical mass recently and getting support beyond die hards like us. If he's going to win, he needs those votes as there aren't enough die hard votes out there to win an election. I love the libertarian nature of the campaign, but it requires responsibility and self restraint, and judging by the attacks RP detractors get, a large portion of RP supporters don't get that.
I hope the official campaign addresses this issue.
Auto-calls?
Thanks for the great post.
People really need to be aware that auto-calls are *not* helping. As you pointed out, it would sure be nice to know who was dumb enough (or unethical enough) to do something like that.
Not unethical
These calls are not push polls, that's what is unethical. These are just calls that are prerecorded and they cover a lot of ground. They don't have to worry about who says what. The message gets out and people can hear it without even lifting up the phone.
I think Ron Paul needs to
I think Ron Paul needs to win or have a major showing in Iowa or New Hampshire because a good showing there will make it so more people know who he is.
www.wakeuplate.com
Best Point:
This is about RON PAUL's positions, not YOUR positions.
Don't try to convince people with your pet project unless you know that is what their pet project is also.
Who is Jim Forsythe's...
...equivalent in SC?
I want a point of contact for the grassroots in SC. Not ALL the meetup leaders, just one that will be my focal point for the state once NH primary is over.
SC has a campaign office/staff
As far as I know...don't they? He's at 11% there with the polled people (GOP) so that's very good.
I don't like dealing with the official campaing staff....
...despite having official staff in NH, Jim (purely grassroots) is the guy who get's things done in NH.
Who is the grassroots guy in SC?