Winning a primary -- a crazy idea whose time has come.
We need a tipping point.
In chemistry there is a concept called the "energy of activation". Combustible materials can sit side by side for years without catching fire. They need a spark, a concentrated source of heat to push the molecules over that critical edge that will allow them to combine, SETTING OFF MORE HEAT!
That is what ignites a fire. And once ignited it is self-sustaining.
What could ignite our revolution? Well, a win in one of the upcoming primary states could be just such a spark.
Is it likely? No.
Is it possible? I think so.
Would it be worth it? Absolutely!
The potential benefits to our movement, our morale, and the ongoing cause of liberty would be tremendous!
With the dismal showings in primaries so far, how do I think this is possible? The MSM media is still against us and will continue its national blackout. Our numbers and morale have been decimated.
1) John McCain and his supporters believe he has the nomination “sewn up”. Whether he does or not is irrelevant. The belief is enough to eliminate any reason for his followers to make it to the polls. If you thought the turn out for the Republican primaries were anemic before, they will only get worse now.
2) There is no competition for the “anyone-but-McCain” votes. The fact that Huckabee received a substantial number of votes after he quit is more of a testament to how much John is disliked than it is to his own popularity. Almost all of the votes should have gone to Ron Paul. With the right campaign strategy they will.
3) There are some red states left that have a substantial number of Republicans that would love to have someone to vote for other than John McCain.
4) Some of these states, like Nebraska and Idaho, have relatively small populations that are concentrated in a small geographical area. This would make it far easier to reach a substantial percentage of voters with far less expenditure of manpower or money.
5) On a local level, the strangle hold of the CFR-controlled media is minimized. Trust me, a speech or rally by a presidential candidate in Omaha will make the evening news.
6) The only way a Republican primary vote will have any meaning now is if it sends a message to the Republican establishment that the rank and file members are UNHAPPY with the candidate that is being forced down there throat. The only way to send that message effectively is to vote for Ron Paul. We can communicate that if we are given the right tools.
So what’s the catch? We need to change our strategy. And by “we”, I mean Ron Paul.
Since the beginning of this campaign he has been far too detached. He spent fewer days in Iowa than any other candidate and it cost him dearly (maybe even the nomination if you consider that he was within 3% of beating both McCain and Thompson). Regardless of his rationale for that decision, he needs to understand the importance of changing his ways, at least temporarily. He has never seemed to appreciate the importance of retail politics to this campaign. That means public appearances, speeches, and rallies by HIM, not a surrogate or a band of supporters. THAT will get him in the news and nothing less. But what I’m talking about is little more than the time an author would spend on a book tour.
And that brings us back to the tipping point. Combustion occurs not from the amount of heat, but the concentration of heat. If the campaign can convince just 50,000 voters between now and May to vote for Ron Paul he could WIN the primary in Nebraska. Spread that same number over five states and you might not even be able to detect the percentage change. Even put them all in Pennsylvania and it probably wouldn’t make the front page.
But I need your help. Dr. Paul is not going to do this just for fun. He will respond to us IF WE ASK HIM TO DO THIS. Otherwise it will be business as usual and we will have lost a golden opportunity to gain invaluable credibility for our entire movement.
Write him. Email him. Beg him to do this for us and for America.
Cut and paste the following message and send it to:
Dear Dr. Paul,
As a loyal supporter and lover of liberty I would like to urge you to consider investing your precious time in an all out effort to win in either Nebraska or Idaho.
I believe that the chances of a substantial showing (or even a win) in a small conservative state’s primary at this time are significant and the potential benefits to our movement would be tremendous; but this can only be accomplished if you commit yourself to frequent personal campaign visits. I know that you have told us that the campaign is winding down, and I also know that this would require a great sacrifice of time and energy on your part. I would not ask this if I did not believe that it would be a great help to our ongoing struggle for liberty. Thank you for everything that you have done and will continue to do for this, our cause.















OK, Bumping this just for spite!
I'm sorry, but the irony of these wonderful percentages in South Dakota and New Mexico, the relentlessly defeatist (when it comes to the primary contests) attitude by the RP "campaign", and the frustration I feel for my fellow grassroots workers compels me to bump this obsolete post.
Next time we will not back a candidate who is going to blow off opportunities like this.
I don't care how hopeless "winning in a conventional sense" is.
These were golden opportunities to make major headlines and gain invaluable credibility for our movement.
Nebraska and Idaho are
Nebraska and Idaho are already done with. We lost.
Our last chances are South Dakota and New Mexico, and I think we're going for South Dakota....
I was really hoping for Idaho, but even there, our best state, we only got 24%. We're going to have to double our efforts for South Dakota.
Exactly, and why are we repeating our mistakes?
Just want someone to tell me why it is a smart campaign strategy NOT to make a few campaign appearances in South Dakota.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Lack of personal appearances has been the hallmark of the RP campaign FROM THE BEGINNING.
http://politics.nytimes.c...
I swear I think Thompson has still made more campaign appearances than Ron Paul and he started later and dropped out months ago.!
OK folks, I just had to bump this.
My post doesn't seem so crazy now, considering what has happened in the last few states now does it?
What DOES seem crazy is the way Dr. Paul is blowing these opportunities to score a MAJOR victory for the movement.
I just can't believe that he is so out of touch with the grassroots and the political realities in these red states that he can't see how helpful it would have been to actually MAKE SOME CAMPAIGN APPEARANCES.
His lack of commitment to these last few primary states (including South Dakota) is embarrassing.
If someone can tell me a good argument for why it would NOT have been worth his time to at least make 3 or 4 more rallies in Idaho, I would LOVE to hear it.
Lack of commitment...
I dunno... personally I don't see how it is any MORE embarrassing than his (and the campaign's) lack of commitment or presence in virtually EVERY other state that has already had a primary.
I mean where exactly DID he campaign? Iowa & New Hampshire (couple of visits, tons of cash spent... nearly the whole wad). Nevada, couple of visits. Washington, couple of visits... and, oh yeah one or two stops in Pennsylvania (plus they got a few radio ads).
Other than that, the whole campaign has been pretty sadly A.W.O.L.
$34 million was raised... and $29.5 million squandered by amateurs.
$4.5 million left with no idea what they're gonna use it on (other than -- rather obviously -- NOT any actual campaigning or advertising).
I know it stinks... but it's true. And not likely to change.
He Already Said He Would Show Up
He said he'd show up if his schedule permitted. I say, go ahead and lay out a schedule of appearances. Look for events that draw people and at which he could appear (health fairs, regular fairs, and campaign-related events). Start planning, then invite him.
Great plan, but keep in mind that as we push forward, we will arouse opposition. Be prepared.
IMissLiberty
What if we
told Ron Paul we would fund
this effort if he was willing to do it?Nebraska money bomb?
I think a "Nebraska Money Bomb" would be great!
Anything that helps to focus our energy. Maybe its my martial arts training, but I know that concentration is what allows us to accomplish the "impossible" whether it is breaking a brick or winning a primary.
Do you think that Dr. Paul is afraid to schedule back-to-back events in smaller state for fear of poor turnouts that would be an embarrassment to the campaign? I don't know. I do know that I wish the grannys had scheduled their rally in a primary state like Idaho or Nebraska. Now that might have made a real difference.
Spacehabits, you said
"Do you think that Dr. Paul is afraid to schedule back-to-back events in smaller state for fear of poor turnouts that would be an embarrassment to the campaign?"
Knowing the inner character of Dr. Paul, it wouldn't even enter into his mind to worry about poor turnouts! If you asked him to speak at a city council meeting in some podunk town, and he could fit it into his schedule, he would be there!
I know he campaigned in at least two very sparsely populated areas in Nevada, and I also know that folks from miles around take the time to go hear him speak.
Wonderful!
Mitt Romney addressed a session of the Douglas County Republican committee in Omaha and it seemed to give a real boost to his campaign there. I'm not suggesting that he has to micro-campaign like that, but it couldn't hurt. I am just intrigued by the idea of a concentrated effort and the huge upside potential benefits. I will still do what I can in Nebraska, but it would be so much more exciting if I thought I was working for a candidate who actually was trying to win this primary.
I am sure the workers in Idaho would feel the same. We need to "start a fire".
(My apologies to Billy Joel.)
Montana's Primary is June
Montana's Primary is June 3
I would love to do a letter writing campaign to both Montana and Idaho
Spam the High Tide Video
Email an Invitation to your friends to watch the "High Tide" video.
It's available for free on
It's available for free on iTunes, as well!!
Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth Hage,
A wonderful patriot from the state of Idaho, champion of Constitution, and greatly missed by family and friends. Idaho, win this one for Helen!
Nebraska has some Great Ron Paul supporters
that I met at the R-CALF USA convention! Wish I had gotten their email addresses to converse with them. Nebraska, salt-of-the-earth!
Yes, they are great!
My wife and I have attended a meetup in Omaha (even though we are from Iowa) and we have canvassed in Nebraska City. I'm telling you that the people in Nebraska (and probably Idaho) are ripe for this message, They are already Ron Paul supporters, they just don't know it yet. ;)
winning
sent mine in. God save us All...Vote for Ron Paul...
writing my letter now.....
writing my letter now.....