How A Dark-Horse Can Win The Nomination
By Thomas F. Roeser - The Wanderer Press
From Pat Buchanan's site
CHICAGO — Two weeks ago I played political strategist for Ron Paul. In the old days of my misÂspent youth, when I was a hired gun political strategist working for the Minnesota Republican Party, nobody asked whom I was for. They didn’t care. My boss just showed me a candidate and orÂdered me to devise a strategy for him/ her at lowest possible cost. And because I liked to continue eating, I did it.
It didn’t work out too badly. AfÂter a few of us got the hang of it, the GOP, once locked in the dark ages of Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy, and a Democratic maÂchine governor, won the governorÂship and two Senate seats.
So in that spirit, I seized upon the darkest of dark horses in the Republican column, Cong. Ron Paul of Texas, and sketched out a plan of attack for him. That doesn’t mean I’m for him: It means that pursuing a definite strategy he can come close to winning — and maybe win if fortune smiles. BeÂlieve it or not, I’ve heard far and wide from people who say it makes sense. Of course it does! It’s the only way for a candidate with little money who is fighting those with big media budgets.
The strategy: The bunch up of primaries on February 5 should produce a candidate winning the Northeast, one winning the MidÂwest, and another the South (maybe the same guy). Paul should strive to come in second somewhere (I sugÂgest the Northeast as most favorable to his candidacy). The winner would probably be Rudy Giuliani. Paul would then have every right to deÂmand a debate with Giuliani where he would have the chance to appeal to more conservative Republican voters and thinking liberals.
I urged Paul to campaign in nonÂtraditional GOP circles in the Northeast — following the style of Eugene McCarthy in New HampÂshire — visiting universities, cofÂfeehouses, editorial boards, talkÂradio programs; and specifically going to every liberal group imagÂinable: anathema to a regular ReÂpublican campaign. In that way he could grab national media attenÂtion and have a shot.
how much is a radio ad?
i listen to local radio from my town where i work and it reaches about counties pretty well. i wonder how much it would cost if supporters paid for the ads themselves.would it have to be approved by ron paul?what if i were to make my own ad saying why i support ron paul and then plug his website and a few others.is that legal? i dont think ron paul would sue me but maybe the gop or the dem party might put up a stink. is there a lawyer and a radio guy in the house?i'd like to know
Interesting strategy
Got to say, some interesting points (and a few humorous ones). However, I would also add that with the advent of the Internet campaigning now going on, some of the ground being contested is also being fought over and won from our very entrepreneurial grass roots base of support.
Be it signs on overpasses or rooftop "Google" promotions (if nothing else GOOGLE should be supporting Ron financially !), our group is getting out there with some very unique and innovative campaigning. Oklahoma City's caravan driving around town with Ron Paul signage, Jacksonville FL doing a little covert sign hanging, or the group (can't remember which one) using progressive drive-by messages to cars traveling one strip of highway promoting Ron all are giving "pause for thought." We cannot underestimate the impact that PEOPLE make when they turn out voluntarily using their own time and resources and how this impacts potential voters who KNOW that this is of their own free will to do so.
Remember the quote from Magaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful commited PEOPLE can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I'm not anti-radio, I am just more pro-PEOPLE.
Immigration - Fairness
Superb strategy, I thought.
I would only add that "illegal immigration is unfair to legal immigrants who are waiting their turns."
IMissLiberty
re: advertising
I actually think he has a very good point in arguing that we need to win over radio. I think this campaign is going to have much more money than anyone predicts, but I think if you can target the conservative base that listens to talk radio, that it can be won.
Of course, just because the campaign isn't doing it doesn't mean we can't. Even now, we're starting to toy with the idea in a number of different ways of getting that message out there, and by November, I expect you'll see the more innovative and networked grassroots people using these sorts of strategies.
About Talk Radio
When Ronald Reagan ran for president talk radio was a lot different. There wasn't the Rush Limbaugh/Sean Hannity monopoly back then. I'm not saying to not use radio, I just think that too many people listen to the monopoly and not enough people listen to the smaller, more independent, local stations.
How do we get the message to the Limbaugh/Hannity listeners?
Good read
I really hope he does the radio commercials. That is absolute gold if he can get it played on NPR on the drive home from work each week. The content of the messages were spot on as well. I hope that Dr. Paul's campaign people, while they may not agree with all of this, agree that some of these points are not only good ideas, but great ideas.