Political Strategists Wanted

[ScooterKen]

I am on the Democratic Town Committee in Seymour, CT. and one of the main political strategists. I am, however, pretty new to all this. I am working closely with the DTC Chairman, and was wondering if anyone had some good tips, best practices, and/or good ideas on local campaign strategy that they could share, or even just some contact info for people you might know that could provide some helpful insights.

Thanks!

[Peace Patriot]

1. That's one helluva great screen shot! (--don't tell me we don't have any

friends in the teevee news.)

As for political strategy: People want TRUTH, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, CREATIVE IDEAS, HOPE, PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNMENT, FAIRNESS, LAWFULNESS, CLEAN ELECTIONS and PEACE. Is that too much to ask? Shout it from the rooftops!

[marbuc]

2. I've worked on local campaigns, what would you like to know?

I guess a general tip is that meaningful visibility is VERY important. Identify all the local community events and attend. This includes spaghetti dinners, fairs and festivals, and church socials. Voters are likely to vote for someone they can identify with.

Also, interface with the public in an official capacity whenever possible. Hold town hall style meetings, go door-to-door, anything that demonstrates their local officials are concerned about their interests and acting on the people's behalf.

Edit to add: fill potholes promptly! All politics is local, and many times a person's only measure of local government is how these services are performed (or not performed).

[ScooterKen]

4. Thats helpful!

I have some specific questions, in no particular order:

1) How important is print ads/leaflets/etc.?
2) How important is cable access TV shows? (note: many ppl have satellite now)
3) How important is phone banking ?
4) How important is negative campaigning?
5) How important is having a formal platform?

I feel that we lost because of lack of turn out.
6) What can we do to get better turn out of our own registered Democrats? i.e. motivation to actually vote ?

Any help on these would be great!
:)

[marbuc]

5. In order:

Printed leaflets are important to leave an impression, but personal interaction is more meaningful. I'm not a big fan of print ads; "free press" is more effective.

I haven't heard of local pols using local access shows for political purposes, but cable ads are relatively cheap and effective.

Phone banking is very important, especially to get out the vote.

I'm personally against negative campaigning, but I think it's ok to point out where someone is doing a disservice to the community, and how "Candidate X" would do differently.

A vision for the city/town is useful, especially if this vision is shared with the general population.

GOTV by phone banking, lit drops, and visibility. Also, canvass high Dem areas. Remember, a voter is more motivated by someone who is always around, and not just when asking for a vote.

Oh, and don't forget about yard signs. There is dissent in the political community about these. Some say yard signs don't vote, but I have found that the person with the most signs in the ground wins more often than not.

[ScooterKen]

6. Fantastic

Thanks, your reply echoes virtually every idea I had, but being a novice I wanted to be sure I was on the right track.

I want to launch a two-year long phone campaign, starting now, for the 2007 elections, in which we ask people for their thoughts an opinions now, then followup in 6 months, with progress, then again 6 months after that asking for feedback, then 6 months after that asking for support for the election. Sort of a phased phone campaign.

I also want to organize events around town, as you indicated, to get people to attend. The problem with this, I find, is that only the "political" people attend, not the "general public". We really, desperately need the "general public". The ones that are clueless as to what's going on, who is running for office, etc. Do you have any ideas on how to effectively get to the "average joe" who is not politically motivated to be involved? These are the people I need to get to.

[marbuc]

7. Motivating the "average joe" has always been a challenge

There is only so much you can do, but this is why I support reaching them by attending community events. If you can't bring the people to you, go to the people. Also, you will attract some by requesting input on local issues that matter to them.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Your question is mostly about tactics. A strategy is an overall

plan to achieve a specific goal. Tactics are the tools you employ to achieve that goal.

Within your strategy, you will need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your candidates and their opponents as well as the parties in order to come up with a winning strategy and to choose the right tactics in the correct blend.

For instance, if your candidate is a relatively unknown challenger then you are going to have to figure out a way to introduce them quickly, effectively and positively to the voters. (Who are your voters? How many voters?)

As someone here mentioned, personal contact is the most memorable for most voters. If there is a relatively small number of voters, I highly suggest your candidates knock on every door of their district at least once and hopefully twice during the campaign to talk with the voters, introduce themselves, and listen and interact.

In a large district, this might be unfeasible so you would have to introduce your candidate through TV/radio/Print and large gatherings of people.

{i}1) How important is print ads/leaflets/etc.?
2) How important is cable access TV shows? (note: many ppl have satellite now){/i}

These are tactics that depend on your strategy and local conditions such as cost, coverage areas, local media consumption patter ens. Don't forget about radio.


{i}3) How important is phone banking?{/i}
If you can identify your voters by phoning and asking them prior to election day and then having poll watchers record who hasn't voted by the afternoon on election day, you can call up your unvoted committed voters and get them to the polls. Offer rides, childcare, or whatever it takes to get them out to vote. This can be very effective. It's also very demanding in human resources, both in sheer numbers of volunteers needed and trained administrative staff.


{i}4) How important is negative campaigning?{/i}
Depends on the particular election and the circumstances on the ground. Usually it is considered common wisdom that the trailing candidate is the first to go negative. This may not always be the case. If you are honest in your negativity you have a much better chance of pulling it off than if you just make up a lot of trash to talk. Negative campaigning can and does backfire sometimes, depending on the circumstances. So handle with care.

{i}5) How important is having a formal platform?{/i}
It's a very handy way to let the voters know where you stand. On the other hand, if you don't want the voters to know where you stand, it would be a bad idea. The "Formal Platform" tactic is good if you address issues the voters care about and if you shape expectations to match ability to deliver on the platform.

{i}I feel that we lost because of lack of turn out.{/i}
What data do you have to support this?

{i}6) What can we do to get better turn out of our own registered Democrats? i.e. motivation to actually vote ?{/i}
Talk to them face to face and ask them for their support. Then on election day don't take no for an answer.

{i}Any help on these would be great!{/i}

Good luck!
:)

[Warpy]

3. Whatever the old line DLC guys tell you

Do the opposite.

[connecticut yankee]

9. Phone Banks

have always proved effective.

You have to have a willing groups of volunteers -- or just assign members of the DTC -- to call every registered Democrat and unaffiliated voter.

Put in a plug for your candidates and ascertain their interest in voting for him/her. If possible, follow up the call about a week before Election Day. Ask if they need absentee ballots, or a ride to the polls.

Have "checkers" at the polls on Election Day to check off people as they vote. Then make more phone calls after 5 pm. Don't call people who don't want to vote for your candidates.

It works very well in Westport.